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Irish state broadcaster RTÉ has said it will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest “if Israel takes part.” In a statement, RTÉ said Ireland’s participation in the event “would be unacceptable given the ongoing and horrific loss of life in Gaza.” Ireland has won the contest seven times, most recently in 1996. RTÉ will make a final decision once Eurovision organizers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), have made their decision.
Next year’s contest will be held in Vienna in May. Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has also said it will withdraw from the competition if Israel takes part. Spain’s Culture Minister, Ernest Urtasun, has said his country may also not take part if Israel is involved. In a statement on Thursday, RTÉ said: “RTÉ’s position is that Ireland will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel takes part, and the final decision on Ireland’s participation will be taken once the EBU’s decision is made.” RTÉ added: “RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the deliberate killings of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists in that territory and the grave situation of the hostages still being held there.”
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