Ireland confirms it will boycott Eurovision 2027 over Israel’s participation
Ireland will not be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed it will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
Ireland was one of five countries that withdrew from the 2026 edition of the long-running music competition due to the inclusion of Israel, which is currently engaged in a military conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
A statement from RTÉ read: “RTÉ is today confirming that its position regarding participation in the Eurovision Song Contest remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.
“RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.
“RTÉ also remains deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory,” the statement continues.
The move will add yet more pressure to Eurovision organisers, who have faced backlash in recent years over Israel’s continued participation in the event.
The non-binary winner of the 2024 contest, Nemo, returned their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union, in protest.
As well as Ireland, Eurovision 2026 was boycotted by broadcasters from Spain, The Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia.
It marked the largest Eurovision boycott since 1970, when Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Austria refused to take part in the competition amid a row about the contest’s voting structure, which had resulted in a four-way tie in 1969.
Last month, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it would not take part in Eurovision 2027 – but the Netherlands could still be represented in the contest after the country’s umbrella broadcaster, NPO, said it was considering whether another broadcaster could take over.
Iceland, Spain and Slovenia have yet to announce whether they will continue their boycott next year.
Eurovision 2027 is set to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria from 11-15 after Bulgarian act Dara lifted the trophy earlier this year with her track “Bangaranga”.
