US EditionIreland may not contest Eurovision if Israel takes part: RTE
Ireland joins other European broadcasters threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel's participation amid the Gaza conflict causing over 64,000 deaths, broadcaster RTE said.
- RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster, declared it would withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria if Israel participates, saying the final decision awaits the European Broadcasting Union's ruling.
- Amid reports of civilian deaths and constraints on international media, RTÉ called participation alongside Israel "unconscionable" given Gaza's losses and concerns over hostages, while EBU members raised objections at the General Assembly in July.
- AVROTROS, the Dutch public broadcaster, said it will not compete next year if Israel participates, while Spain, Slovenia and Iceland have all signalled possible withdrawal, with Spain's government confirming it would pull out.
- The European Broadcasting Union extended a penalty-free withdrawal option until mid-December, but contest organisers warn staging could be jeopardised if enough countries pull out.
- Israel has competed in Eurovision since 1973 and remains a regular participant, facing protests and controversy at the 2024 and 2025 contests, including after its strong 2025 showing.
188 Articles
188 Articles
Red light for Israel: How genocide in Gaza sparked historic Eurovision boycott
Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia threaten to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, deepening the crisis facing Europe’s biggest cultural contest.
Calls grow to bar Israel from Eurovision
Ireland has become the latest country to threaten a boycott of next year's Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to participate, deepening the crisis facing organisers of one of the world's biggest televised events. The Irish national broadcaster, RTE, announced on Thursday that it would not take part in the 2026 contest should Israel remain in the line-up. It cited "the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza" as well as the killing …
Now the Netherlands has also threatened with a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel continues to participate in the competition.
Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has already sparked controversy several times due to the Gaza War. Several countries are now threatening to withdraw from the 2026 contest. A decision is expected in December.
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