Ireland won’t take part in Eurovision if Israel participates, RTE announces

In a statement released on Thursday, the broadcaster said that "it is RTE’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".

RTE said that at the General Assembly of the EBU in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the contest. 

The EBU is an alliance of public service media organizations in countries within the European Broadcasting Area or who are members of the Council of Europe.

The broadcaster added: "RTE feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.

"RTE 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."

The decision comes as both Spain and Slovenia have threatened to withdraw from the contest on the basis of Israel’s participation. 

 The death toll in Gaza has now reached over 64,400 as the Israeli Defence Forces are in the midst of a largescale attack on Gaza city despite international condemnation and calls for a ceasefire. 

Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a controversial issue over the last two contests, with large protests held in the host cities of Basel this year and Malmö in 2024.

The 70th anniversary edition of the contest is due to take place in Vienna, Austria next May.

Ireland has participated in Eurovision since 1965 and has won the contest seven times.

RTE added that it wishes to thank the EBU for the extensive consultation process that was initiated after the July meeting and the extension of the option to withdraw from participation without penalty to December.

Meanwhile, Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urstaun said: "I don’t think we can normalize Israel’s participation in international events as if nothing is happening.

"In Eurovision’s case, it is not an individual artist who participates but someone who participates on behalf of that country’s citizens."

He also said in an interview that Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration is a "genocidal government" and that what is taking place right now in Gaza is a genocide.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.