Phil Coulter, the songwriter behind the United Kingdom's 1967 Eurovision winner "Puppet on a String," said the BBC should follow Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ and withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to participate.

Coulter, who has written or co-written several Eurovision entries, told BBC Radio Ulster he was "100% behind RTÉ" in its decision and said musicians and performers were "human beings with consciences." RTÉ has announced it will not take part in next year's contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead," and said its final decision will be made once the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rules on participation.

Coulter questioned a perceived double standard after Russia was expelled from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, asking, "What's the difference between that tragic event and what's happening in Gaza?" He said the BBC should take a similar moral position and not participate next year if Israel competes. The BBC declined to comment.

RTÉ said it was "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." Other broadcasters have signalled possible withdrawal or expressed concern. Slovenia's RTVSLO said it would withdraw if Israel participates, Spain's culture minister said his country may not take part should Israel compete, and Iceland's RÚV said its involvement in 2026 was subject to ongoing consultation within the EBU and that it reserves the right to withdraw.

Martin Green CBE, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said the EBU "understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East." He said the union was consulting with members to "gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest." Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm whether they will participate in the May 2026 contest in Vienna.

A group of more than 70 former Eurovision contestants earlier this year signed a letter calling on organisers to ban Israel from the 2025 competition. The EBU has not announced a final ruling on Israel's eligibility to participate in future contests.

Austria, which won this year's contest with the song "Wasted Love," will host the event in Vienna in May 2026 if the usual format proceeds. The outcome of the EBU's consultations will determine whether a series of national broadcasters — and the contest itself — face further boycotts or withdrawals tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Coulter, who has been associated with Eurovision for decades and whose work was recently sampled by singer Jade Thirlwall, framed RTÉ's stance as reflecting public feeling. He said the decision was "a question of conscience" and suggested that broadcasters throughout the United Kingdom would share similar sentiments about the situation in Gaza. The EBU said it would respect any decision made by its member broadcasters regarding participation.