Ireland Withdraws From Eurovision for Second Consecutive Year Over Israel's Participation

Ireland will not participate in or broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, public broadcaster RTÉ announced Thursday. This marks the second year in a row the country will be absent from the competition, having boycotted the 2026 event held in Vienna due to the European Broadcasting Union's decision to allow Israel to compete. RTÉ stated its position on participation remains unchanged, citing the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian crisis there. The broadcaster also expressed concern over international journalists' lack of independent access to Gaza.

Ireland was among five countries that did not participate in Eurovision 2026, alongside Spain, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands. RTÉ had previously refused to broadcast the contest after it was confirmed in December that Israel would be permitted to compete, arguing that Irish participation was unacceptable given the circumstances in Gaza.

Separately, the Dutch broadcaster announced last month its withdrawal from Eurovision 2027, also citing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Dutch broadcaster claimed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have compromised the contest's neutrality and that the European Broadcasting Union's announced changes are insufficient. However, unlike last year, it is not yet certain that the Netherlands will be absent from the competition. AVROTROS has returned responsibility for the Dutch participation to the public broadcaster NPO, which will decide on the course of action for Eurovision 2027. Last year, AVROTROS had also declared it would not participate if Israel was involved, and followed through with this threat when Israel was allowed to compete.