The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place today in Vienna, Austria, as Ireland and RTÉ boycott the event over Israel’s inclusion
Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan has said the competition cannot portray itself as a “celebration of unity and peace” while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “deepens”.
The grand finale of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is taking place today in Vienna, Austria.
Ireland and RTÉ have withdrawn from this year’s competition over its inclusion of Israel alongside Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain.
Charlie, who secured victory for Ireland in 1994 performing alongside Paul Harrington, has aligned himself with ActionAid Ireland in condemning Eurovision and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
He said: “Three years into genocide in Gaza and a 60- year-long illegal occupation of Palestine, Israel continues to compete in the Eurovision as if nothing is happening. The Eurovision Song Contest cannot continue to present itself as a celebration of unity, peace and shared European values while ignoring what is happening in Palestine,” reports the Irish Mirror.
“This is not business as usual. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens. Children have been killed. Families have been wiped out. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps have been attacked. And Palestinians are being starved and displaced before the eyes of the world. Silence and inaction are complicity.” ActionAid Ireland has additionally urged the Government to demand accountability from Israel, press for EU action on Palestine, and swiftly enact the long-stalled Occupied Territories Bill, which would prohibit trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, stated: “The hypocrisy over Eurovision is staggering. Israel has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, destroyed the Gaza Strip, and controls almost every aspect of life in the West Bank. Yet Israel is still part of Eurovision, even though Russia was rightly excluded from Eurovision following its invasion of Ukraine. “
Charlie continued: “People across Ireland are horrified by what they are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank. They do not want genocide normalised and ignored on the European stage. Palestinians are not forgotten, and people in Ireland will continue to stand in solidarity with them.”
Rather than viewing Eurovision, ActionAid is encouraging people to arrange alternative solidarity evenings.
Suggestions include karaoke sessions, community meet-ups, artistic and painting activities showcasing Palestinian music and heritage, with people encouraged to post these online using #MyEuroVisionIs.
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