Ireland will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel takes part, broadcaster RTE said Thursday, calling participation alongside Israel “unconscionable” amid the Gaza conflict.
Recent editions of Eurovision have been overshadowed by opposition to Israel's participation in the contest over its genocidal attacks on Gaza, which have killed more than 64,000 people, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities.
Israel has participated in Eurovision as a longtime member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes and co-produces the annual event.
Ireland's RTE said a number of EBU members had raised concerns about Israel's taking part during a meeting in July.
"RTE feels that Ireland's participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza," the broadcaster said in a statement.
