Ireland will NOT participate in Eurovision next year if Israel takes part, RTÉ says

'RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.'

In recent years, there have been calls for Ireland to boycott the competition on account of Israel's involvement.

This in order to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

In a new statement on Thursday, 11 September, RTÉ said that, at the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns about Israel's participation in Eurovision 2026.

The Irish broadcaster also stated that the EBU extended the option to withdraw from the contest 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 from RTÉ reads.

The Irish broadcaster said that it feels that Ireland’s participation would be "unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".

It also stated that it was "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".

You can read RTÉ's statement in full below:

“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.

"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.”