Ireland to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
Ireland will not take part in next year's Eurovision song contest if Israel is a contestant, the country's national broadcaster said on Thursday.
RTE is one of a number of national broadcasters that have been consulting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees Eurovision, over the possibility of excluding Israel over the genocide in Gaza.
In a statement, the broadcaster said it would be "unconscionable" for it to take part in the contest while Israel continued its bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"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," said RTE.
"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."
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It said a final decision would be taken when the EBU makes a ruling on the matter, following concerns raised by several members at a general assembly in July.
RTE's statement was welcomed by pro-Palestine campaigners, who have long called for Israel to be excluded from Eurovision.
Zoe Lawlor, cultural liaison and chairperson for the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), told Middle East Eye that the move was "well overdue" and should have come years earlier.
"This is RTE finally reflecting the will of the majority of people in Ireland who stand resolutely in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against Israel's apartheid and genocide," she said.
"It is also testament to the huge, years-long campaign in Ireland calling for a boycott of Eurovision failing the EBU expelling [Israel]."
Calls for withdrawal
Israel's participation in Eurovision has sparked repeated demonstrations, including during the 2024 and 2025 contests.
The Spanish government, which has described the war in Gaza as a genocide, on Wednesday said it would be withdrawing from the contest if Israel took part.
'I don’t think we can normalise Israel’s participation in international events as if nothing is happening'
- Ernest Urtasun, Spain's culture minister
“I don’t think we can normalise Israel’s participation in international events as if nothing is happening," said Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also said in May that Israel should not be allowed to take part, noting that Russia had already been excluded over its invasion of Ukraine.
Spain's comments follow a similar warning from Slovenia's national broadcaster last week.
The next edition of the contest will be the 70th anniversary and is due to take place in Vienna, Austria in May 2026 after Austrian entry JJ won with his song Wasted Love.
ME asked the BBC if it intended to follow suit, but received no response at time of publication.
MEE also contacted the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for comment, but said they said would not be commenting and deferred to the BBC.
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