LAST UPDATE | 11 Sep 2025

IRELAND WILL NOT take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to take part, RTÉ has confirmed. 

The broadcaster says it has informed contest organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that it will make a final decision on the matter once the decision on Israel’s participation has been made.

The head of Slovenia’s national broadcaster has also said the country, a regular participant in Eurovision, would likely withdraw if Israel participates. Similar comments were made by Spain’s culture minister.

Israeli broadcaster KAN confirmed back in July that it intended to compete again in 2026, when the 70th edition of the contest will be held in Vienna, Austria. 

Today’s decision by RTÉ comes after the last two contests were overshadowed by protests over Israel’s participation.

Mass protests were held to coincide with the country’s two appearances – in the weekday heats and Grand Final – in the Swedish city of Malmö last year. Protesters were ejected from the Eurovision venue in Basel in May of this year after attempting to interrupt singer Yuval Raphael’s performance in the final. 

Bambie Thug, Ireland’s entrant in Sweden, resisted calls to boycott the contest but  attempted to stage their own protest over the presence of Israel by wearing Ogham make-up during their semi-final performance.

RTÉ said in a note to staff earlier today that at the General Assembly of the EBU in July a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the contest. 

An RTÉ statement released this afternoon said:

“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.

“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, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.” 

Responding to the news, Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green said the organisation understood the concerns “and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East”.

“We are still consulting with all EBU Members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna.

“It is up to each Member to decide if they want to take part in the Contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”

A protester holds a flag during Israel's semi-final performance in Basel. Alamy Stocky Photo Alamy Stocky Photo

RTÉ employees who are members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) today welcomed the broadcaster’s announcement. 

“We strongly welcome RTÉ’s clear statement that it would be unconscionable for Ireland to participate next year, given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza, and recording the broadcaster’s deep concern at the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages,” they said in a joint statement. 

The NUJ members said that they believe that this decision by RTÉ reflects the views of staff working at the broadcaster, and “those of the Irish public that we serve”. 

A spokesperson for SIPTU representatives at the broadcaster also said that the decision “aligns with our values and shows a strong commitment to human rights and justice”.

RTÉ typically issues a callout to songwriters in September each year seeking entrants for the song contest, and for the last four years a national final has been held on a dedicated episode of the Late Late Show. No such callout has been issued so far this year.

The death toll in Gaza has now topped 64,400 as the Israeli Defence Forces are in the midst of a large-scale offensive in Gaza City despite international condemnation and calls for a ceasefire.