Ireland signals Potential Eurovision Withdrawal over Israel‘s Participation
DUBLIN, May 17, 2024 - Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has indicated it may withdraw from teh Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to participate in the 2025 competition, escalating international pressure surrounding the event. The move follows growing calls for a ban on Israel’s involvement due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The potential boycott raises significant questions about the future of the widely-watched contest, which prides itself on being a non-political celebration of music. Wiht approximately 37 to 40 countries typically participating, a cascade of similar decisions from other broadcasters could dramatically shrink the competition’s scale and viewership.the Irish eurovision Fan Club chair, Frank Dermody, lauded RTÉ’s stance, stating the broadcaster had made a “very good decision.”
RTÉ’s position comes after over 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter earlier this year urging organizers to exclude Israel from the 2025 contest. Dermody, who leads the Irish Eurovision Fan club, expressed discomfort with israel’s participation in the past two competitions, stating, “I found it quite tough the last two years watching a country use our competition of peace and love to spread the opposite.”
Dermody warned that further withdrawals by other broadcasters could lead to a “massive dip” in audience numbers and perhaps reduce the contest to as few as 15 or 20 participating countries in 2026. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, has yet to respond directly to Ireland’s threat, but maintains that the contest is a non-political event.
Eurovision has been held annually since 1956, evolving into a global spectacle with millions of viewers. Ireland holds the record for the most wins, with seven victories, and has a deeply passionate fanbase. The country last hosted the competition in 1997. The EBU is expected to address the growing controversy and announce its decision regarding Israel’s participation in the coming months.
