Ireland will not participate in Eurovision if Israel is allowed to take part

Ireland volition not enactment successful the Eurovision Song Contest adjacent twelvemonth if Israel is allowed to instrumentality part, RTE has announced.

The Irish broadcaster said successful a connection that a fig of European Broadcasting Union (EBU) members raised concerns implicit the information of Israel successful the contention astatine the union's wide assembly successful July.

RTE added that its "position" is that Ireland volition not instrumentality portion successful the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the information of Israel goes ahead.

The broadcaster volition marque its "final determination regarding Ireland's participation" erstwhile the EBU decides whether Israel volition instrumentality part, the connection continues.

It adds: "RTE wishes to convey the EBU for the extended consultation process that was initiated connected ft of that meeting, and the hold of the enactment to retreat from information without punishment to December."

The connection added: "RTE feels that Ireland's information would beryllium unconscionable fixed the ongoing and appalling nonaccomplishment of lives successful Gaza.

"RTE is besides profoundly acrophobic by the targeted sidesplitting of journalists successful Gaza, and the denial of entree to planetary journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages."

Ireland has won the Eurovision 7 times, the associated astir of immoderate country.

Eurovision Song Contest manager Martin Green said: "We recognize the concerns and profoundly held views astir the ongoing struggle successful the Middle East. We are inactive consulting with each EBU Members to stitchery views connected however we negociate information and geopolitical tensions astir the Eurovision Song Contest.

"Broadcasters person until mid-December to corroborate if they privation to instrumentality portion successful adjacent year's lawsuit successful Vienna. It is up to each subordinate to determine if they privation to instrumentality portion successful the contention and we would respect immoderate determination broadcasters make."

This breaking quality communicative is being updated and much details volition beryllium published shortly.

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