Ireland announces it will boycott Eurovision 2026 unless Israel is banned
RTÉ, the country's broadcaster, said it felt that its participation “would be unconscionable' because of the situation in Gaza
Ireland has announced that it will not compete in Eurovision next year if Israel is allowed to compete, with the chief executive of RTÉ, the country’s national broadcaster, saying “participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.”
In a statement released earlier today, RTÉ said it was its 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”. Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ’s chief executive, said the broadcaster felt that its 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”.
Martin Green, director of Eurovision, said:
Eurovision director Martin Green said: “We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“We are still consulting with all EBU members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna.
“It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”
In 2024, during the first competition to take place after the 7 October massacre by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza, the Irish act, Bambie Thug, made no secret of their opposition to Israel’s presence. Last month they announced they would no longer perform the song they had sung at Eurovision until Israel was kicked out the contest.
This year Ireland failed to qualify for the competition’s grand final, which was held in Basel, Switzerland. Next year’s competition will take place in Austria, after their competitor narrowly beat Israel, who received a significant number of votes from the wider European public.