The Irish state broadcaster RTÉ has mentioned it is not going to participate within the 2026 Eurovision Music Contest “if the participation of Israel goes forward”.
In a press release, RTÉ mentioned that Eire’s participation within the occasion “can be unconscionable given the continued and appalling lack of lives in Gaza”.
Eire has received the competition seven occasions in complete, most not too long ago in 1996.
RTÉ will make a remaining determination as soon as the Eurovision organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, makes its determination.
Subsequent 12 months’s contest will likely be held in Could in Vienna.
Slovenia’s nationwide broadcaster, RTVSLO, has additionally mentioned it should withdraw from the competitors if Israel participates.
Spain’s Tradition Minister Ernest Urtasun has mentioned that his nation may additionally not participate ought to Israel take part.
In a press release on Thursday, RTÉ mentioned: “It’s RTÉ’s place that Eire is not going to participate within the 2026 Eurovision Music Contest, if the participation of Israel goes forward, and the ultimate determination relating to Eire’s participation will likely be made as soon as the EBU’s determination is made”.
It added: “RTÉ can also be deeply involved by the focused killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of entry to worldwide journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”
Previous to this 12 months’s Eurovision in Could, RTÉ requested the EBU for a dialogue on Israel’s inclusion within the Eurovision Music Contest.
At the moment, its director basic, Kevin Bakhurst, mentioned he was “appalled by the continued occasions within the Center East and by the horrific affect on civilians in Gaza, and the destiny of Israeli hostages”.
He added that he was aware of RTÉ’s obligations to take care of objectivity in masking the battle in Gaza.
“We’re additionally very aware of the extreme political stress on Israel’s public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli authorities,” he mentioned.
Earlier this 12 months, greater than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the 2025 competitors.
