Getty Images
Phil Coulter has written or co-written several songs for Eurovision, including the UK’s winning 1967 song Puppet on a String, which was sampled last year by Jade Thirlwall in Angel of my Dreams
The UK should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, musician and songwriter Phil Coulter has said.
This would follow the lead of the Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, which has said it will not take part if Israel does “given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
Mr Coulter said he was “100% behind RTÉ” in their decision to withdraw from the contest, and that people in the UK and Ireland are both “disgusted by what’s going on in Gaza”.
He has written or co-written several songs for Eurovision, including the UK’s winning song “Puppet on a String” in 1967, which singer Jade Thirlwall used a sample of in a song last year.
The BBC has declined to comment.
RTÉ will make a final decision once the Eurovision organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), makes its decision.
The Netherlands has joined the potential boycott and other nations have confirmed they are considering it, depending on the EBU’s decision.
Nicky Stevens, from British band and Eurovision 1976 winner Brotherhood of Man, said while she is horrified by what is happening in Gaza, it would be “a shame” for politics to be “brought into” Eurovision.
“Let’s all get together for one night and just focus on the music,” she said.
Bambie Thug, Ireland’s Eurovision entry in 2024, echoed Mr Coulter’s sentiment.
“I fully support RTE’s decision to not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest and I hope this can set an example for other countries,” they said.
Last year, Bambie Thug was one of a number of contestants to complain of a “tense” and “horrible” atmosphere backstage.
After the grand final, Bambie Thug also accused Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, of “inciting violence” against them during its coverage.
Kan said the Israeli delegation faced an “unprecedented display of hatred” from other countries and their entrants.
EPA
Yuval Raphael flew the flag for Israel at this year’s song contest in Switzerland
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Coulter said he feels “very strongly” about Ireland not participating in Eurovision if Israel does, due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“Musicians, songwriters and performers are human beings with consciences.
“I think the only sensible thing and the only decent thing for RTÉ to do is to withdraw from the contest if Israel is allowed to perform.”
He said there was a “double standard” that Israel was being allowed to participate whereas Russia was expelled from the 2022 contest due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“What’s the difference between that tragic event and what’s happening in Gaza?” Mr Coulter asked.
He also said that the BBC should take a similar position to RTÉ and not participate in next year’s Eurovision.
“I think it is a question of conscience, and as RTÉ have made this step – it reflects the feeling of the general public and I’m quite sure that throughout the United Kingdom people are equally disgusted by what’s going on in Gaza,” Mr Coulter told the programme.
Asked later to clarify whether he meant the BBC should withdraw if Israel continues to participate, he said yes.
Next year’s contest will be held in May in Vienna.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced on Friday that it will also boycott next year’s contest if Israel is included.
Spain and Slovenia are considering similar moves, while a spokeswoman for the Finnish national broadcaster said a decision regarding the broadcaster’s participation in next year’s Eurovision will be “made in December”.
“Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a significant topic of discussion in Finland,” she said.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is tragic, and we sincerely hope for an end to the suffering as soon as possible.”
A spokesman for Iceland’s national broadcaster said its involvement in the 2026 contest was “subject to the outcome of the ongoing consultation process within the EBU, due to the participation of the Israeli state broadcaster KAN in the competition” and that they “reserve the right to withdraw from participation in it if the EBU does not respond satisfactorily”.
In a statement on Thursday, RTÉ said: “It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, if the participation of Israel goes ahead, and the final decision regarding Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU’s decision is made”.
It added: “RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages.”
Ireland has won the contest seven times in total, most recently in 1996.
Getty Images
Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green said the EBU “understand the concerns”
Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said the EBU “understand the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East”.
He added: “We are still consulting with all EBU members to gather views on how we manage participation and geopolitical tensions around the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm if they wish to take part in next year’s event in Vienna. It is up to each member to decide if they want to take part in the contest and we would respect any decision broadcasters make.”
Daniel Epstein-O’Dowd from the Ireland-Israel Alliance said RTÉ is attempting to “set another frontier where Israelis, and particularly Jews, are not welcome”.
“This is about delegitimising the Jewish state and undermining Israel’s very right to exist,” he said.
“When we speak about the spirit of the Eurovision, it is extremely disappointing to see that the first thing we look to do is to remove one of the only remaining spaces where people can express themselves.
“We need a forum for people to come together.”
Earlier this year, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the 2025 competition.
