"As Jim Gavin stumbles over Gaza, RTÉ was so pleased with its Eurovision ultimatum that it became the lead item on the Six One News RTÉ needed a break. Joe Duffy is gone. Claire Byrne is ­going. So it pulled a rabbit out of the hat last week. On Thursday, it announced, with much fanfare, that if Israel is at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Ireland will pull out."
"RTÉ will not screen it. Our national broadcaster is back on the moral high ground. RTÉ made the right decision. It was at least a year too late, but is nonetheless welcome. Director general Kevin Bakhurst is finding his mojo. Morale in the workforce will be lifted because the change in direction was a response to trade union and staff pressure."
RTÉ announced that if Israel participates in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Ireland will withdraw and RTÉ will not broadcast the contest. The broadcaster positioned the decision as a moral stance and presented the move prominently on its Six One News. Recent presenter departures created a need for a directional change within RTÉ. The decision followed pressure from trade unions and staff and is expected to improve workforce morale. Director general Kevin Bakhurst is credited with restoring momentum at the broadcaster. Commentators characterize the change as overdue by at least a year but generally welcome.
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