Eurovision issued ultimatum by Ireland as they threaten to pull out over Israel

Ireland has threatened to withdraw from next year's Eurovision Song Contest if Israel take part. A major Irish television channel has insisted they will refuse to broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, announcing it has no intention of showcasing the iconic competition if the nation is allowed to enter.

In July, a number of members of the European Broadcasting Union voiced their concerns about Israel’s participation at the general assembly. After this, an extensive consultation process was initiated and members were given the opportunity to withdraw from the contest without penalty.

Now, RTE has declared that Ireland won't participate if Israel is involved. They have insisted their decision will be made once the EBU makes a final decision.

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In a statement, a spokesperson for the country's national broadcaster said: "At the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns about the participation of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest.

"RTÉ wishes to thank the EBU for the extensive consultation process that was initiated on foot of that meeting, and the extension of the option to withdraw from participation without penalty to December.

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

"RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza. RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.

While Ireland has struggled in recent years in the competition, they are still the joint-highest winners throughout history. The country has won Eurovision seven times, matched only by Sweden.

The last time Ireland were crowned winners was back in 1996, when Eimear Quinn's The Voice was voted as the favourite of all competing.

Ireland is not the only country threatening to withdraw. Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has also threatened Spain's shunning if Israel compete.

Slovenia has also followed suit, with the country's national public broadcaster, RTVSLO, writing: "The final decision on the participation of RTV Slovenia at Eurovision 2026 will be adopted at the latest by the adoption of the annual plan.

"By this time, it should be clear whether the EBU will take any decision on Israel’s participation and whether it will take into account the comments of several EBU Member States on the transparency of the vote. It will be clear if RTV still wants to participate in this competition.

"At the General Assembly of the EBU, which was held in London at the beginning of July, RTV Slovenia presented the position that if Israel competes in the Eurovision Song Contest – due to the genocide in Gaza – it will not participate in the competition.

"RTV Slovenia believes that the Eurovision Song Contest is not only attended by public media services such as the Israeli KAN, which has problems with the ruling politics in the country, but the country itself.

"For example, Belgium and Germany do not have one representative – one for each public service (RTBF and VRT or ZDF and ARD) – but one joint representative of the country from which the contractors come. The EBU is currently leading talks with members on Israel’s possible participation in the upcoming competition."

Austria's capital Vienna will host the 70th edition of the competition next year following JJ's win with hit tune Wasted Love.

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