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RTÉ: Ireland threatens to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates RTÉ: Ireland threatens to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
(32 minutes later)
RTÉ will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead", the Irish broadcaster has announced. Yuval Raphael flew the flag for Israel at this year's song contest in Switzerland
The Irish state broadcaster RTÉ has said it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead".
In a statement, RTÉ said that Ireland's participation in the event "would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".In a statement, RTÉ said that Ireland's participation in the event "would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".
Ireland have won the contest seven times in total, most recently in 1996. Ireland has won the contest seven times in total, most recently in 1996.
RTÉ will make a final decision once the European Broadcasting Union makes its decision. RTÉ will make a final decision once the Eurovision organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, makes its decision.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Jedward represented Ireland at Eurovision two years in a row
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Next year's contest will be held in May in Vienna.
Slovenia's national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has also said it will withdraw from the competition if Israel participates.
Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has said that his country may also not take part should Israel participate.
In a statement on Thursday, RTÉ 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".
It added: "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."
Prior to this year's Eurovision in May, RTÉ asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel's inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest.
At that time, its director general, Kevin Bakhurst, said he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages".
He added that he was mindful of RTÉ's obligations to maintain objectivity in covering the war in Gaza.
"We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel's public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government," he said.
Earlier this year, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the 2025 competition.