Ireland’s national broadcaster will boycott 2027 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation
RTÉ said participation and broadcasting cannot be justified amid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, joining the Dutch broadcaster in a second straight boycott.
- On Thursday, RTÉ confirmed it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, stating involvement "cannot be justified" due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- RTÉ cited the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza" as the primary reason, while expressing concern regarding the "continued denial of independent access to international journalists" to the territory.
- This marks Ireland's second consecutive withdrawal, following a 2026 boycott over Israel's participation, amid at least 76,621 deaths reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, including 74,582 Palestinian people and 2,039 Israeli people.
- Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, stated the organization "fully respect their decision" and that RTÉ remains a "valued part of our family" despite the boycott.
- With up to 270 journalists and media workers killed since October 2023, the crisis continues affecting the industry; Eurovision officials hope to welcome Ireland back, though RTÉ maintains its position remains unchanged.
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169 Articles
The boycott of several countries because of the participation of Israel was a great excitement before the ESC 2026. Ireland does not want to participate in the competition next year.
The Irish television and radio company Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) stated that the country would not participate in the annual Eurovision music competition and would not broadcast it in 2027 in protest of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
Record winner Ireland will not send a contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest again next year. Because of the situation in Gaza, the public broadcaster RTÉ will not broadcast the event either.
Ireland will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest – and points to the situation in Gaza.
Ireland to boycott 2027 Eurovision over Israel’s participation
Ireland will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the second year over Israel's participation, the country's public broadcaster RTE said Thursday. Ireland was one of five countries along with the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia and Spain to skip Eurovision this year to protest Israel’s inclusion in the contest, citing its ongoing war on Gaza.
Ireland, which won the competition seven times, followed suit in the Netherlands, which also announced their withdrawal from the competition held on 15 May in Bourgas, Bulgaria.
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