Phil Coulter Calls for UK to Withdraw from Eurovision if Israel Participates in 2026

Phil Coulter, the renowned musician and songwriter, has urged the UK to follow Ireland’s lead and withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel participates. His comments come after the Irish broadcaster RTÉ announced it would pull out due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Coulter, who has a long history with Eurovision, including writing the UK’s 1967 winning song, expressed strong support for RTÉ’s decision, stating that the people of the UK and Ireland are ‘disgusted’ by the situation in Gaza. He criticized the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) ‘double standard’ in allowing Israel’s participation, especially after Russia was expelled from the 2022 contest due to its invasion of Ukraine. Other European broadcasters, including those from Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia, have also threatened to withdraw if Israel participates in 2026. RTÉ has confirmed that its final decision will depend on the EBU’s stance, while the EBU has stated that it is consulting with its members on the matter. Coulter emphasized that the Eurovision was created to unite people, not just be a music competition, and called on the UK to take a stand similar to RTÉ’s.