Ireland Boycotts Eurovision Over Israel's Gaza Actions, Citing War Crimes
Ireland, a nation with a prominent Eurovision history, has opted out of this year's contest, joining Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain in a boycott. The move is a direct response to the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) decision to allow Israel to compete, despite ongoing international scrutiny of its military conduct in Gaza.
RTÉ, the Irish public service broadcaster, announced its withdrawal, stating that Ireland's participation would be "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there." The broadcaster also highlighted concerns over the "targeted killing of journalists in Gaza" and the "continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory." Instead of broadcasting the final from Austria, RTÉ will air a Eurovision-themed episode of the sitcom Father Ted.
This boycott marks another instance of Ireland's critical stance on Western foreign policy in the Middle East. Ireland formally recognised a Palestinian state in 2024 and supported South Africa's genocide proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar previously branded Dublin "the capital of antisemitism," and Israel's Embassy in Ireland closed in December 2024, citing "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government."
The EBU had previously issued a formal warning to Israeli broadcaster Kan after its contestant, Noam Bettan, released videos instructing fans to "vote 10 times for Israel." Despite this, the EBU maintained Israel's eligibility, leading to the collective boycott by several European nations.
The decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, including former Irish government minister Alan Shatter, who accused RTÉ of "moral bankruptcy." Graham Linehan, a co-creator of Father Ted and a vocal supporter of Israel, also condemned RTÉ's decision to air his show, labelling the broadcaster's position "antisemitism."
The Irish Football Association (FAI) confirmed it would fulfil upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, despite an open letter from Irish Sport For Palestine advocating a boycott. This division underscores the broader contention within Ireland regarding engagements with Israel amidst the ongoing conflict.
