RTÉ is one of a number of broadcasters to announce this evening that they will not compete in the 2026 competition
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ will not broadcast or participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to the confirmation of Israel’s participation.
In a statement, RTÉ said Ireland’s participation would be “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
RTÉ is one of a number of broadcasters including Spain’s RTVE and Dutch broadcaster Avrotros to announce that they will not be participating in the competition next year.
Other broadcasters including Iceland and Slovenia are also expected to withdraw from the competition after the EBU approved a new set of rules aimed at protecting the integrity of the contest and members were denied the chance to vote on Israel’s participation at a meeting in Geneva this afternoon.
In a statement this evening, RTÉ said: “Following today’s EBU winter general assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ’s position remains unchanged.
“RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTE broadcast the competition. RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.
“RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”
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