Ireland’s RTÉ says that if Israel is in then Ireland will be out. That’s the Eurovision news coming out of Dublin this afternoon following a statement from the Irish broadcaster. It said:
“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, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”
The statement comes following the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union in July, during which member broadcasters of the EBU raised concerns about Israel’s participation.
In its statement, the Irish broadcaster thanked 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 in December.”
An ongoing controversy
The RTE statement adds further fuel to the ongoing fire at the European Broadcasting Union. In recent weeks, Slovenia’s broadcaster RTVSLO has suggested that it is likely to withdraw from the contest over issues that include Israel’s participation.
The chair of RÚV — Iceland’s national broadcaster — additionally noted there was reservation over the country’s participation in Vienna if Israel was allowed to compete.
Spain’s Minister of Culture has also spoken out.
Speaking on La Hora de la 1, the morning news-talk show of Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, Ernest Urtasun firmly defended the idea of pulling Spain out of Eurovision 2026 if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allows Israel to remain in the competition.
“We cannot normalise Israel’s participation in events like Eurovision,” Urtasun declared. “Both in La Vuelta and in Eurovision, there is a clear national representation. It’s not just about a single artist.”
His mention of La Vuelta, Spain’s renowned multi-stage cycling race, is telling. This year’s edition has been repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocking the route, in protest against the inclusion of an Israeli delegation.
Urtasun stressed that the final call rests with RTVE, yet made clear that the government would not remain passive if Israel takes part.
