UPDATE: Since publication, RTÉ have further clarified that if Israel is not removed from the competition, they do not intend to broadcast Eurovision 2026 at all next year.

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has today confirmed it will withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to compete. The high-stakes ultimatum, rooted in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, places immense pressure on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and signals a deepening rift within the contest.

In a statement, RTÉ declared that Ireland’s participation would be “unconscionable” under the current circumstances. This move makes Ireland the latest, and one of the most historically significant, nations to join a growing coalition of broadcasters threatening to boycott the Vienna-hosted competition.

“It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead,” the broadcaster announced. “The final decision regarding Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU’s decision is made.”

The broadcaster cited the “ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” concerns over the “targeted killing of journalists,” and the unresolved plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas as the ethical drivers behind its decision. The stance follows months of internal pressure and public outcry, reflecting a strong pro-Palestinian sentiment across Ireland. RTÉ’s Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, who had previously described himself as “appalled” by the conflict, has now formalised that moral outrage into policy.

This controversy has been simmering for over a year, escalating significantly since the 2024 contest in Malmö, Sweden. The conflict, which began after the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and has since led to over 64,400 reported deaths in Gaza, has cast a long shadow over an event that bills itself as “United by Music.” Protests marred both the 2024 and 2025 contests, with demonstrators demanding Israel’s exclusion on human rights grounds.

Ireland’s announcement is not an isolated act. It follows a similar declaration on Wednesday from Slovenia’s RTVSLO and aligns with strong warnings from broadcasters in Iceland and Spain. Iceland’s RÚV has reserved the right to withdraw, while Spain’s Culture Minister, Ernest Urtasun, has hinted that “radical steps may be necessary.” At least eight other EBU members are rumoured to be considering a similar stance, creating a potential domino effect that could drastically alter the contest’s landscape.

The news was met with immediate praise from pro-Palestinian activists. Online, groups like Socialist Voice celebrated the decision, with posts on X (formerly Twitter) quickly garnering thousands of shares. Eurovision enthusiasts described it as a “huge statement,”.

The EBU now finds itself in an increasingly precarious position. At its General Assembly in July, formal concerns raised by several members prompted the organisation to launch an extended consultation process. As a concession, it has extended the penalty-free withdrawal deadline until December 2025, giving broadcasters an escape hatch.

Eurovision Director Martin Green addressed the mounting pressure on Wednesday, stating he would “respect” any country’s decision. “We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Green acknowledged, though stopping short of indicating a final decision.

That decision, expected in December, will be pivotal. The EBU has historically maintained a “non-political” stance, but it set a precedent by excluding Russia in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Critics now argue the same standard should apply to Israel, a participant since 1973 and a four-time winner.