'Unconscionable' - Ireland will not take part in Eurovision Song Contest 2026 over Israel's inclusion

"At a pivotal meeting in Geneva tonight, delegation members met to discuss a raft of new voting rules that are set to be introduced next year, after controversy surrounding the voting process earlier this year. Delegations were asked to consider the rule changes and decide "if they are sufficient to meet their concerns without having a vote on participation". In a statement on Thursday evening the European Broadcasting Union said that members had "shown clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect neutrality of Eurovision Song Contest allowing all Members to participate"."

"RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst was in Geneva for the meeting and shortly afterwards RTÉ issued a statement confirming it would not take part in the song contest. "Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTEs position remains unchanged. RTE will not participate in the 2026 Song Contest, nor will RTE broadcast the competition," the national broadcaster said."

""RTÉ feels that Ireland's participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory." Unions at RTÉ, including Siptu and the National Union of Journalists, had urged management to stand by their position."

Ireland will not compete in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after RTÉ confirmed the broadcaster's withdrawal. Broadcasters from Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia had stated they would not take part if Israel was involved and confirmed those decisions. Delegations met in Geneva to consider a raft of new voting rules to be introduced next year following controversy over the voting process. Delegations were asked to judge whether the rule changes would address their concerns without a participation vote. The European Broadcasting Union reported clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect contest neutrality.

Read at Irish Independent