RTÉ has confirmed Ireland will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and it will not broadcast the contest, following confirmation from the EBU that Israel will be allowed to compete.

During the Winter General Assembly in Geneva, EBU members chose not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation, effectively allowing its entry into the 2026 contest in Vienna. Instead, members strongly supported a set of new rules designed to prevent governments and outside groups from unduly influencing the competition’s outcome through excessive promotion of entries.

In a statement, RTÉ said:

“Following today’s EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ’s position remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.

“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. RTÉ 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.”

The Netherlands (AVROTROS), Spain (RTVE), and Slovenia (RTV Slovenia) have also confirmed their withdrawal from next year’s contest.