Ireland Boycotts Eurovision for Second Consecutive Year Over Israel's Participation
On Thursday, RTÉ, the national broadcaster of Ireland, announced that the country will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza." This decision marks Ireland's second consecutive exit from the competition, joining Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia, all of which boycotted this year's event. Last month, the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared its own boycott, labeling Eurovision a "platform for division." While Eurovision director Martin Green expressed disappointment, he conveyed respect for RTÉ's choice. The 2027 contest is set to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Bulgaria's victory in May. Since October 2023, Palestinian authorities have reported over 73,000 fatalities in Gaza due to continued Israeli strikes.
Key facts
- RTÉ announced Ireland will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest
- Ireland also boycotted the competition this year, alongside Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia
- Dutch broadcaster Avrotros announced its own boycott last month
- The 2027 Eurovision will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Bulgaria's first win in May
- Eurovision director Martin Green said he regretted but respected RTÉ's decision
- The EBU reduced individual online and telephone votes last year amid allegations of a disproportionate Israeli campaign
- The EBU now bars broadcasters from hosting if their state is in an armed conflict or sensitive geopolitical situation
- Israel has competed in Eurovision since 1973
- Gaza's health ministry reports 1,369 Palestinians killed and 4,627 wounded since the ceasefire took effect on 11 October 2025
- Palestinian authorities report more than 73,000 killed in the war on Gaza
Entities
Artists
- Emmy
- Martin Green
- Noam Bettan
- DARA
Institutions
- RTÉ
- Avrotros
- European Broadcasting Union
- Eurovision Song Contest
- European Commission
- Hamas
- Reuters
- The Guardian
- KAN
- AVROTROS
- UN
- BBC
Locations
- Ireland
- Dublin
- Iceland
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Slovenia
- Israel
- Gaza
- Bulgaria
- Burgas
- Norway
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- St Jakobshalle
- Vienna
- Austria
- Arena Burgas
- West Bank