Music
04 Dec 25

RTÉ will not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2026: "Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza"

Austria's JJ Eurovision song contest 2025 winner. Photo Credit: Eurovision Press Gallery

"RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory," the broadcaster's statement reads.

RTÉ are set to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Content, in response to today's decision to allow Israel to compete.

In a statement, the broadcaster has said that it "will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition."

Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva, Ireland joins Spain and the Netherlands in boycotting next year's competition. RTÉ had previously announced back in September that Ireland would not take part in Eurovision if Israel were participating.

"RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk," the broadcast has stated. "RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12–14, 2026.