Eire has change into the most recent nation to threaten a boycott of subsequent yr’s Eurovision Music Contest if Israel is allowed to take part, deepening the disaster dealing with organisers of one of many world’s largest televised occasions.
The Irish nationwide broadcaster, RTE, introduced on Thursday that it could not participate within the 2026 contest ought to Israel stay within the line-up. It cited “the continued and appalling lack of lives in Gaza” in addition to the killing of journalists.
“RTE feels that Eire’s participation can be unconscionable,” the broadcaster mentioned in an announcement.
Slovenia’s nationwide broadcaster, RTVSLO, has already made its participation conditional, whereas Spain’s tradition minister, Ernest Urtasun, has publicly urged a boycott if Israel is just not expelled.
Urtasun advised Spanish tv this week: “I do not assume we are able to normalise Israel’s participation in worldwide occasions as if nothing is going on.” He described Israel as a “genocidal authorities” and mentioned measures can be taken if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) fails to behave.
The rising pushback echoes calls from greater than 70 former Eurovision contestants and Austria’s most up-to-date winner, JJ, who’ve urged Israel’s exclusion. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has additionally in contrast Israel’s case to Russia’s expulsion after its invasion of Ukraine, insisting the identical normal ought to apply over the warfare in Gaza.
The EBU, which organises the competition from Geneva, has delayed the same old participation deadline till December, appointing a advisor to assist navigate what it acknowledges are “deeply held issues” amongst members. A last vote on Israel’s standing is anticipated at its Basic Meeting later this yr.
The 2026 Eurovision is scheduled for Vienna subsequent Might, drawing an estimated 160 million viewers worldwide. However with broadcasters in Eire, Slovenia, and probably Spain threatening to withdraw, the spectacle dangers being overshadowed by the fiercest political row in its historical past.
