Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ said it would not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest “if the participation of Israel goes ahead,” calling such participation "unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza." The broadcaster said it would make a final decision once the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rules on eligibility and participation.
In a statement, RTÉ framed the potential withdrawal as a matter of principle tied to the conflict in Gaza. The broadcaster did not set a deadline for its final decision, saying it would await the EBU’s determination before confirming Ireland’s participation status for the 2026 contest.
The EBU, which organises the Eurovision Song Contest, sets the rules on which broadcasters and countries may take part. RTÉ’s announcement places the widely viewed contest at the centre of a political dispute, raising the prospect that one of Eurovision’s historically successful participants could be absent from the 2026 field.
Ireland has won the contest seven times, most recently in 1996, and participation in Eurovision has been a long-standing element of the broadcaster’s entertainment programming. RTÉ did not specify how a withdrawal would affect its contractual or broadcasting obligations related to the contest, nor did it provide details on how a decision would be implemented should the EBU confirm Israel’s participation.
The broadcaster’s statement was issued as public attention on international events and cultural exchanges has intensified amid the conflict in the Middle East. The EBU typically assesses eligibility and invites broadcasters from its membership to take part each year; decisions about individual entries and the final contest lineup are announced after its processes conclude.
RTÉ said it would keep stakeholders and the public informed and that any final decision would be made once the EBU had reached and communicated its determination. The situation leaves open how other contestants and broadcasters will respond and whether the EBU will take further steps to address the dispute. The broadcaster’s warning marks a significant moment in the intersection of cultural events and geopolitical tensions, and the EBU’s forthcoming ruling is expected to determine whether Ireland will appear on the Eurovision stage in 2026.