RTÉ says Ireland will withdraw from Eurovision if Israel is allowed to compete

Ireland’s Emmy pictured during the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 semi-final in Basel Switzerlan. Picture: Andres Poveda

Ireland will choose not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate.

RTÉ made the announcement on Thursday after an "extensive consultation process" involving other members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

In a statement, the broadcaster said “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 added that Ireland's participation would be "unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza," and that RTÉ is "deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists."

The past two editions of the contest have seen large pro-Palestine protests, in Basel earlier this year and in Malmö in 2024.

Broadcasters in Iceland and Slovenia have already indicated they will not take part in the competition next year if Israel is involved.

Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, with Sweden tieing the record in 2023 for the most of any country.