Ireland becomes latest country to boycott Eurovision 2026 ‘if Israel participates’
RTE released a statement today.
Irish broadcaster RTE has announced that it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest ‘if the participation of Israel goes ahead’.
An RTE statement released today said that at the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, ‘a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest’.
It added: ‘RTE wishes to thank the EBU for the extensive consultation process that was initiated on foot of that meeting, and the extension of the option to withdraw from participation without penalty to December.’
A final decision on participation will made when the EBU reaches its decision.
The broadcaster explained: ‘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’.
Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, won this year’s Eurovision with the song Wasted Love (Picture: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Previous Page Next PageIt added: ‘RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.
‘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.’
Ireland has won the Eurovision seven times, the joint most of any country. Last year Ireland’s contestant was EMMY, who was knocked out of the contest ahead of the televised final.
Last year Israel’s contestant Yuval Raphael and her song New Day Will Rise finished in second place, winning the public televote.
Yuval Raphael finished in second place representing Israel at this year’s Eurovision (Picture: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)The contest is due to enjoy its 70th anniversary in Vienna next May after Austrian singer JJ won with Wasted Love in Switzerland this year, but tensions are growing over Israel’s involvement given its assault on Gaza as famine is officially declared in the region and a humanitarian crisis rages on.
Eurovision director Martin Green previously addressed the situation in a statement to HuffPost UK, which said: ‘We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
‘We are still consulting with all EBU Members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the 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.’
