RTÉ will not participate in or broadcast next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after organiser the European Broadcasting Union confirmed today that Israel will be allowed to take part.

The EBU decision was taken at a meeting in Geneva today, at which a majority of members agreed a vote was not needed on Israel’s participation.
RTÉ and other public broadcasters – from Slovenia, Spain and the Netherlands – had warned they would boycott the May 2026 contest in Vienna if Israel competed, due to its war in Gaza.

Germany and other supporters of Israel’s participation had warned of consequences if Israel – a four-time winner of the competition – was barred.
Today’s meeting followed allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant to the contest this year.
Israel came second but faced accusations from several broadcasters of unfair voting practices, including a paid-for advertising campaign
Israel strongly denies any wrongdoing, saying it is facing a global smear campaign.
Last month, the EBU announced that it had changed its voting system to strengthen “trust and transparency”, moves which were overwhelmingly endorsed today.
This included changes to the number of votes any viewer can cast being cut from 20 to 10, and audiences will be encouraged to support multiple entries.
Ireland has participated in the competition, which draws 160 million viewers worldwide, 58 times since 1965, winning seven times and missing only the 1983 and 2002 editions.

RTE