Ireland, a nation with a celebrated history in the Eurovision Song Contest, including multiple victories and a shared record for most wins with Sweden, is notably absent from this year’s grand final. The country joins Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain in a collective boycott of the competition. This decision stems from the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) controversial allowance of Israel’s participation amidst its ongoing military actions in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza began following a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which Israeli authorities reported resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive has led to a significant death toll in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health authority. Israel’s presence in Eurovision has been a point of contention since the conflict escalated. Previous contests saw heightened anti-Israeli protests and participants requiring armed guards. Last year, accusations arose regarding external influence on public voting for Israel’s entry, leading the EBU to implement new rules on voting and promotion. Despite these changes, the EBU recently issued a formal warning to Israeli broadcaster Kan after its contestant encouraged fans to “vote 10 times for Israel.”

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, confirmed its withdrawal, stating that participation would be “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there,” also expressing deep concern over the targeting of journalists. Taoiseach Micheál Martin supported the decision, framing it as “an act of solidarity” with journalists affected by the conflict. Instead of airing the contest, RTÉ is broadcasting a Eurovision-themed episode of the classic sitcom “Father Ted.” This move, however, drew criticism from former Irish government minister Alan Shatter, a member of the Jewish community, who accused RTÉ of “moral bankruptcy,” and from “Father Ted” co-creator Graham Linehan, an outspoken supporter of Israel, who labeled the broadcaster’s position as “antisemitism.”

Ireland’s Eurovision boycott is consistent with its broader diplomatic posture towards Israel. The Irish government has repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2024. This stance has led to strained relations, with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar once branding Dublin as “the capital of antisemitism.” Further tension emerged with the planned closure of Israel’s embassy in Ireland and Ireland’s support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Upcoming UEFA Nations League matches between the Republic of Ireland and Israel have also sparked calls for a boycott from various Irish sports and music figures, though the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) intends to fulfill the fixtures. On the streets of Dublin, public opinion largely supports the Eurovision boycott, viewing it as a principled stand.

However, within Ireland’s approximately 2,500-strong Jewish community, the boycott has evoked feelings of isolation and dismissal. Oliver Sears, founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, voiced his opposition to cultural boycotts, stating that the community feels unheard and disbelieved. He questioned the concept of “collective punishment,” arguing it wouldn’t save Palestinian lives and unfairly targets an entire country, including its Arab Muslim population. Sears also highlighted what he perceives as a “plethora of antisemitic incidents” and a “chronic lack of knowledge and ignorance about Jews, about antisemitism itself, about Zionism,” asserting that these terms have been “weaponized and distorted” in the current climate.