RTÉ: "Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead"

RTÉ have announced that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if Israel are participating.

Back in May, ahead of the 2025 edition of the competition, RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst asked the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for a discussion on Israel's inclusion in Eurovision, stating that he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages."

In today's statement, RTÉ have noted 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.

"RTÉ 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.

"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."

The statement goes on to note 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.”

Similar statements have also emerged from Iceland, Spain and Slovenia in recent days.

In 2022, the EBU announced that Russia would no longer be allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, following its invasion of Ukraine. Many commentators and activists have called for a similar ban on Israel's participation, due to its genocidal campaign in Gaza.

This year's Eurovision winner JJ previously stated that he "would like Eurovision to be held in Vienna next year, without Israel."

"But the ball is in the European Broadcasting Union's court," the Austrian artist told Spanish newspaper El País. "We, the artists, can only speak out on the matter."

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria’s largest indoor arena – with the final set for May 16 and the semi-finals taking place on May 12 and 14.