Ireland to pull out of Eurovision if Israel take part, RTÉ says

Ellen O'Donoghue

Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision song contest "if participation of Israel goes ahead", RTÉ announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, RTÉ said that "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 European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) decision is made."

The broadcaster added that "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, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."

In a statement also released on Wednesday, NUJ members working in RTÉ welcomed the broadcaster's announcement.

"Last May, the Dublin Broadcasting Branch wrote to the broadcaster requesting that it formally oppose Israel’s participation. We did this because our members are appalled by Israel’s actions in Gaza and the wider region, not least the unprecedented wholescale targeting and killing of journalists and media workers," the statement said.

"We strongly welcome RTÉ’s clear statement that it would be unconscionable for Ireland to participate next year, given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza, and recording the broadcaster’s deep concern at the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."

"We believe this position reflects the views of staff working at the broadcaster, and those of the Irish public that we serve."

The statement ended by calling on other European broadcasters to follow suit, and on the EBU to suspend Israel from the 2026 contest "as a matter of urgency."

Siptu members in RTÉ also released a statement in support of the broadcaster "taking a principled stance on the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest".

"This decision aligns with our values and shows a strong commitment to human rights and justice. We fully support RTÉ's position and commend their leadership in this matter," the Siptu members' statement said.

There has been growing controversy about Israel's participation in the competition, with large demonstrations held during Eurovision in the host cities of Basel this year, and in Sweden's Malomö in 2024.

Broadcasters in Iceland and Slovenia have recently said they may not take part in the competition next year if Israel is involved.

RTÉ had sought consultations with the EBU on Israel's participation along with Spanish and Slovenian broadcasters, and the EBU had committed to dialogue on the issue.

Following a General Assembly of the EBU in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.

RTÉ said in its statement that the broadcaster wished 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.

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