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Ireland’s national broadcaster will boycott 2027 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation

The broadcaster said participation and broadcasting cannot be justified amid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, joining Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS in a second 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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205 Articles

Lean Left

This year already Ireland was one of the countries that refused to participate in the cultural event, such as Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia. They opposed Israel's participation in the war in Gaza.

·Paris, France
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Center

Dutch station AVROTROS has also announced that it will not participate in the next edition of the festival

·Barcelona, Spain
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Right

Ireland will not participate in Eurovision in 2027 due to the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis. The decision is the second boycott in a row.

·Budapest, Hungary
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Center

After Holland, another country confirms the boycott of the demonstration due to the participation of Israel

·Milan, Italy
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Lean Left

The Irish public broadcaster RTÉ called the situation in Gaza the reason for this decision.

Lean Right

Ireland has caused a stir at Eurovision for the second year in a row by announcing that it will not participate in the 2027 song contest. The continued loss of life in Gaza is the reason for the boycott, broadcaster RTE announced today, a stance it also held for the previous edition this year. Ireland was one of five countries to abstain from Eurovision 2026 in protest at Israel's participation, along with Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia an…

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Winnipeg Free Press broke the news in Winnipeg, Canada on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
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