RTE, the Irish national broadcaster, has announced today that Ireland will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Austria.
Ireland joins Spain and Netherlands who have also announced their withdrawals from the ESC 2026 due to Israel’s participation in the competition in Vienna.
Following the results from today’s EBU’s General Assembly regarding the participation of Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 the Irish national broadcaster has dediced to withdraw from the contest next year.
RTE’s official press release reads:
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 RTÉ 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.
