this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2025
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RTÉ: Ireland threatens to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates (www.bbc.com)
submitted 6 days ago by Zorro@mander.xyz to c/mastodon@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/35765654

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".

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[–] Ledivin@lemmy.world 9 points 6 days ago (4 children)

I guess I'm confused... why is this even an issue? Israel is not a European country.

[–] AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.net 3 points 5 days ago

This confused me too, but I recently there's a thing called the European broadcasting area. There are quite a few non-European countries that are eligible, but choose not to compete (such as many of the countries neighbouring Israel)

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 5 points 6 days ago

Neither is Australia, and yet...

[–] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 4 points 6 days ago

Eurovision isn't European specific, despite the name. think of it being like the world series, but in reverse. sure 29 out of the 30 participants are all in one part of one continent, but maybe someday some of them will be in a different continent

[–] xianjam@programming.dev 3 points 5 days ago

Israel controversially participated in 2024 and is set to participate in 2025.