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Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has announced its potential withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest should Israel be permitted to participate.
RTÉ stated that Ireland’s involvement would be “unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” citing the humanitarian crisis as the basis for their stance.
Ireland boasts a strong Eurovision history, having won the competition a total of seven times, most recently in 1996.
The broadcaster clarified that a final determination will be made pending the decision of the Eurovision organizers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The forthcoming contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna next May.
RTVSLO, Slovenia’s national broadcaster, has also indicated it will pull out of the competition if Israel is included.
Similarly, Ernest Urtasun, Spain’s Culture Minister, has suggested that Spain may also abstain from participation under the same circumstances.
Stefán Eiríksson of Iceland’s RÚV stated that their involvement in the 2026 contest “was subject to the outcome of the ongoing consultation process within the EBU, due to the participation of the Israeli state broadcaster KAN in the competition.”
Mr. Eiríksson further noted that RÚV “reserve the right to withdraw from participation in it if the EBU does not respond satisfactorily.”
In a statement released Thursday, RTÉ declared: “It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU’s decision is made.”
The statement continued, “RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”
Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, addressed the situation, stating that the EBU “understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”
He added, “We are still consulting with all EBU Members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest.”
“Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna. It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”
Prior to the Eurovision Song Contest held in May of this year, RTÉ requested a discussion with the EBU regarding Israel’s inclusion in the competition.
At that time, its director general, Kevin Bakhurst, said he was “appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages.”
He further noted that he was mindful of RTÉ’s obligations to maintain objectivity in covering the war in Gaza.
“We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel’s public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government,” he said.
Earlier this year, over 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter advocating for a ban on Israel from the 2025 competition.
Frank Dermody, Chair of the Irish Eurovision Fan Club, stated that RTÉ had made a “very good decision.”
“I found it quite difficult the last two years watching a country use our competition of peace and love to spread the opposite.”
He suggested that if more broadcasters followed Ireland’s lead, the contest in 2026 could experience a “massive dip” in viewership.
“You may end up with a competition of 15 or 20 countries.”
Typically, approximately 37 to 40 countries participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
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