Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2026 “if the participation of Israel goes ahead”

Ireland have announced that they will boycott Eurovision 2026 “if the participation of Israel goes ahead”.

• READ MORE: Eurovision 2024 – fans and boycotters speak: “This is bigger than the contest”

Irish broadcaster RTÉ today (September 11) released a statement which said 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”.

It added: “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 broadcaster added: “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, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”

A final decision on participation will be made when the EBU reaches its decision.

RTÉ previously called for a discussion over Israel’s involvement in this year’s song contest with the country competing with singer Yuval Raphael who eventually finished second in the contest. The Spanish Prime Minister also called for Israel to be barred from the competition going forward.

That came after 70 former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter calling for Israel and national broadcaster KAN to be banned from the 2025 contest.

This year’s Eurovision winner JJ has since called for Israel to be banned from the competition in 2026.

In a previous comment to NME, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest Martin Green CBE said: “The EBU is an association of public service broadcasters, not governments. We remain in constant contact with all participating broadcasters of the Eurovision Song Contest, including RTVE in Spain, and take their concerns seriously.

“Now that the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has concluded we will have a broad discussion with all participating broadcasters, to reflect and obtain feedback on all aspects of this year’s event as part of our planning process for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest next year.”

Israel’s inclusion came despite Russia being banned from the contest since 2022 due its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

In 2024, Ireland’s Eurovision entry Bambie Thug was also forced to change their pro-Palestine message by the competition’s organisers.

The contest is due to enjoy its 70th anniversary in Vienna next May.

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