Eurovision: ‘Israel doesn’t care’ about Irish exit. 'You have not sent a decent song in 25 years'

Former Israeli delegate says Ireland could 'return stronger' after RTÉ decides to pull out of next year's Eurovision in light of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine

Supporters at a watch party in Bambie Thug's hometown, Macroom, Co Cork, during the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have withdrawn from the 2026 contest. Picture: Noel Sweeney/PA

“You have not sent a decent song in 25 years. Take a year off and think about it and return stronger and hopefully be in the top five for a change. We miss the good Irish songs.”

That is how Alon Amir, former member of Israeli Eurovision delegation, reacted to Ireland’s withdrawal from next year’s contest in Austria.

On Thursday, Israel was cleared by the European Broadcasting Union to enter the 2026 Eurovision prompting Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia to withdraw over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, plunging the competition into one of the biggest rows in its history.

Ben Robertson, a Eurovision expert from fan website ESC Insight, said the contest’s integrity was at its lowest ebb.

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar labelled the Eurovision exit of Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia a 'disgrace': Picture: Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty

“Never in the history of the contest have we had such a vote, and such a split, between the member broadcasters of the European Broadcasting Union,” he said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he fully understands RTÉ’s decision to boycott the contest, describing it as an act of solidarity with journalists killed in Gaza by Israel.

Taoiseach: 'An act of solidarity' 

“This is, among other things, an act of solidarity with those journalists who were killed in breach of international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza,” he said.

“Without those journalists, the world would not have known the horrors of what transpired in Gaza, so I understand that fully.”

On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Alon Amir said his country “doesn’t really care” about the withdrawal of the protesting nations.

“We are happy we are in the contest,” he said.

“It is your decision if you want to act like that.”

Golan Yochpaz, the chief executive of Israeli public broadcaster KAN, likened the efforts to exclude Israel to a form of “cultural boycott”.

A Boycott the Eurovision in Israel protest organised by Palestinian rights campaigners at RTÉ's studios in Dublin earlier this year. File picture

Rounding on the countries that are withdrawing, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar said on X: “The disgrace is upon them.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin made his comments at a British Irish Council in Wales, where he said the focus must turn to peace and the “bedding down of the ceasefire”. 

“Ireland is up to contributing to the peace process and we will work with other like-minded countries in that respect,” Mr Martin said.

He called for an unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza, saying it is not being permitted into the territory at a sufficient degree.

Israeli attacks despite ceasefire

Despite a ceasefire being agreed in October, Israel has repeatedly violated its terms through attacks on Gaza.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said he understood the decision made by RTÉ, but argued it would not be appropriate for him to weigh in on whether the BBC should also pull out of the competition.

“These are editorially independent decisions. I think that’s important,” he said.

“I’m sure this was a well-considered decision [by RTÉ].

“But RTÉ would have weighed up all of these issues and made their decisions editorially independent of the Government, as it should be. But I certainly understand the context for that decision.”