Overview
- RTÉ confirmed Tuesday it will replace the Eurovision final with the Father Ted episode “A Song for Europe” on RTÉ2.
- Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia will not send acts or air the final, while the Netherlands and Iceland withdrew entries but will still broadcast.
- RTÉ said taking part is unconscionable because of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the killing of journalists, limits on international media access, and the plight of hostages.
- Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan condemned the plan as antisemitic, launched a petition, and called for Director-General Kevin Bakhurst to resign.
- The boycott follows a 2025 voting dispute, with the European Broadcasting Union discussing rules to curb coordinated campaigns after Israel won the most public votes.