Ireland Joins Growing List of Nations Threatening to Boycott Eurovision Over Israel's Participation

Ireland's public broadcaster, RTÉ, has announced its formal position that the country will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is also competing. In an official statement, the network said, "Ireland's participation would be inconceivable given the ongoing and horrific loss of life in Gaza," adding that it is "very concerned about the deliberate killing of journalists in Gaza, the refusal to allow international journalists into the region, and the plight of the hostages who remain in captivity."

Ireland's announcement follows similar declarations from other European nations. The Spanish Culture Minister said, "If we cannot prevent Israel's participation in Eurovision, we will have to take action. I do not think we can normalize Israel's participation in international forums as if nothing is happening." Likewise, the head of Iceland's public broadcaster, Stefán Eiríksson, stated that a "backlash" is "very likely" if the EBU does not address the concerns voiced by countries like Iceland, Spain, and Slovenia. He noted that his network has "serious concerns about the conduct of both the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation and the Israeli government."

The final decision on Israel's participation rests with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the body that organizes the contest. A discussion on the matter is expected to be held at the EBU's General Assembly this December. So far, the EBU has resisted calls to expel Israel, and while nations like Germany and Italy reportedly support Israel's participation, a number of others are pushing for its removal.

The escalating pressure from national broadcasters puts the EBU in a difficult position. Should the EBU decide to bar Israel from the competition, it would represent a significant shift in its policy and a major political statement. If it allows Israel to compete, however, it risks several high-profile nations, including Ireland, Spain, and Iceland, pulling out of the contest, which could seriously undermine the event's unity and credibility.