Ireland has announced it will withdraw from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna if Israel is allowed to take part, citing the genocide crisis in Gaza.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ said it would find participation “unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.”
RTÉ also expressed “deep concern” over the targeted killing of journalists in the territory, the blocking of international media access, and the continued suffering of hostages. The broadcaster is responsible for selecting Ireland’s entry into the contest.
Ireland now joins Slovenia in threatening a Eurovision boycott over Israel’s involvement. Spain’s culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, also voiced support for a ban, stating Spain should not participate if Israel does — reflecting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s earlier call for Israel’s exclusion from international forums, similar to Russia’s ban following its invasion of Ukraine.
Both RTÉ and Slovenia’s RTVSLO confirmed that discussions within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, are ongoing.
This year’s contest faced backlash over the participation of Israeli artist Eden Golan, who was met with loud jeers during her semi-final performance. Golan ultimately placed second, behind Austria’s JJ, who has also publicly supported calls to exclude Israel from the competition.
Ireland shares the record for the most Eurovision wins — seven titles — alongside Sweden. RTÉ first raised concerns about Israel’s participation with the EBU in May, shortly before the 2025 final in Basel, Switzerland. Spain’s RTV had similarly called for an EBU debate in April.
The EBU has now extended the usual October deadline for countries to confirm their participation to December, as member broadcasters continue consultations.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, acknowledged the sensitivities around the issue, saying the EBU “understands the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” and is working closely with members to manage the geopolitical tensions.
The genocide in Gaza has so far claimed over 64,000 lives since October 2023, according to health authorities. Hopes for a ceasefire have faded after an Israeli airstrike reportedly targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar earlier this week. The UN’s children’s agency reported Thursday that 13 percent of children in Gaza are now suffering from “acute malnutrition” because of Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries.