Ireland Pulls Out of Eurovision Song Contest Over Israel's Participation

Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, announced on Thursday that the country will not participate in or broadcast next year's Eurovision Song Contest, marking the second consecutive year of its withdrawal. The decision is a protest against Israel's involvement in the competition, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In a statement, RTÉ explained that Ireland's participation is unjustifiable given the "horrific and ongoing human losses in Gaza and the prevailing humanitarian crisis there, which continues to endanger the lives of large numbers of civilians." The broadcaster also expressed "deep concern over the continued refusal to allow independent international journalists access to the Strip."

Ireland, a seven-time winner of Eurovision, joins the Netherlands, which announced its withdrawal in late August, stating it "no longer considers itself neutral." Other nations, including Iceland, Spain, and Slovenia, also boycotted the 2026 edition in protest of Israel's participation amid the war in Gaza.

The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on May 15. This marks the first time a Balkan nation will host the event since its inception in 1955, following Bulgarian singer Dara's victory in Vienna. The 2026 edition attracted 131 million viewers, a decrease of 35 million from the previous year.