Ireland’s RTÉ says that if Israel is in then Ireland will be out. That’s the Eurovision news coming out of Dublin this afternoon following a statement from the Irish broadcaster. It said:
“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, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”
The statement comes following the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union in July, during which member broadcasters of the EBU raised concerns about Israel’s participation.
In its statement, the Irish broadcaster thanked 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 in December.”
An ongoing controversy
The RTE statement adds further fuel to the ongoing fire at the European Broadcasting Union. In recent weeks, Slovenia’s broadcaster RTVSLO has suggested that it is likely to withdraw from the contest over issues that include Israel’s participation.
The chair of RÚV — Iceland’s national broadcaster — additionally noted there was reservation over the country’s participation in Vienna if Israel was allowed to compete.
Spain’s Minister of Culture has also spoken out.
Speaking on La Hora de la 1, the morning news-talk show of Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, Ernest Urtasun firmly defended the idea of pulling Spain out of Eurovision 2026 if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allows Israel to remain in the competition.
“We cannot normalise Israel’s participation in events like Eurovision,” Urtasun declared. “Both in La Vuelta and in Eurovision, there is a clear national representation. It’s not just about a single artist.”
His mention of La Vuelta, Spain’s renowned multi-stage cycling race, is telling. This year’s edition has been repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocking the route, in protest against the inclusion of an Israeli delegation.
Urtasun stressed that the final call rests with RTVE, yet made clear that the government would not remain passive if Israel takes part.
So that’s Ireland, and potentially Spain, Slovenia, Belgium and Iceland (at least). That should open the door for more countries to withdraw. Frankly, they should do it anyway to protest the absolute chaos from last 2 years… In 1970, 4 countries withdrew to protest the 4 winners and the lack of tiebreak rule the previous year, and I think we can all agree this was a much less serious crisis. Same thought process here: the EBU should suffer consequences for their mismanagement, and the contest will be better for it.
Give it one more week, and Eurovision won’t need the semis anymore. No but I’m glad some countries finally have the backbone to say a straight up No.
The overall boss of the EBU is Irish, I don’t understand why he can’t just make the overall decision himself instead of leaving it to his underlings. In fairness to the Eurovision producers, they are not paid enough to make such intense decisions such as this. Leave it to the very top. Do the right thing, Noel Curran AKA Mr. Eimear Quinn.
Proud of my country.
Saoirse don Ph alas tain
It’s done. There’s no way the EBU can ignore this now. Israel will be removed. Tiochaidh ar lá
Finally… Someone’s balls dropped. Proud.
What is taking December so loooooooooonngggggggggg?
But what are they are planning to do in December? Voting about expulsion of Israeli broadcaster? That’s a catfish, according to the Statute of EBU it is done in case of expulsion of a member and needs 3/4 of the votes in favor, which is unreal. EBU board can already suspend Israel like they did Russia, under temporary suspension of a member. We don’t need voting for Israel to be out!
Ironicly I think this can be the saving. EBU needs to have two semifinals to keep the ship floating. With four countries gone there would be no need for two semifinals since there are not enough countries to motivate it.
And I doubt EBU wants that..
So either Israel gets in and we have a very stripped down edition with lot of fillers or Israel is out and we have a normal one
Ireland
Spain
Slovenia
Iceland
The list is growing day after day…
This makes Ireland the first country to take seriously. Anything less does nothing. If they don’t have enough participants for two semis, even that Green guy can’t laugh it off. He already another curse on the contest. Good on Ireland. Talk does nothing, anything less than withdrawing will always be ignored by the EBU and the ignorant Greens of this world.
Is there a specific minimum number of countries required for a semi-final to happen?
I don’t actually know, we had as low as 37 countries with two semifinals (2014 and the last two years if I’m not mistaken) and as high as 42 with one (2007). But it is unlikely that they would return to that system, because unless there are less than 32 countries, it would be longer than the actual final (that is, without reviving the rule of the top 10 outside the big 5 qualifying automatically for next year’s final)
First Slovenia, then later Spain, Ireland and Iceland to do so. I don’t know what to say anymore
Ok so 4 countries will not participate if Israel competes, no returnees, than means that ESC is bound to lose a semi, which means to lose money. I think we are closer than ever to an Israeli disqualification and I am very happy. When Israel is officially disqualified I will be even happier and when Palestine is finally free it will be the best day ever.
Bye bye
Ragebait worked. Seriously though, stop searching for headlines and work to bring them home instead
Slan
bye bye israel, no way the ebu will ignore the issue now