Ireland Withdraws From Eurovision 2027 Over Israel's Participation
Irish public broadcaster RTE has announced its official withdrawal from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to be held in Burgas, Bulgaria. This decision makes Ireland the first country to boycott the competition specifically in protest of Israel's inclusion.
RTE stated that its position on the matter "remains unchanged," citing deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, loss of life, and restricted access for journalists to the region. The Irish broadcaster had previously adopted a critical stance against Israel's participation in the previous Eurovision edition.
Ireland's dramatic move could potentially trigger a domino effect, as broadcasters in other European nations, including Slovenia, Iceland, Hungary, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have yet to finalize their decisions regarding participation. Despite these pressures and the threat of a wider boycott, Israel is expected to participate in the contest as planned.
Due to the proximity of broadcast dates to Israel's Memorial Day and Independence Day, it was previously determined that Israel would compete in the second semi-final of the event.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
