Ireland Joins Boycott of Eurovision 2027 Over Gaza Conflict
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2027 due to the war in Gaza, according to RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst. This decision follows a boycott of Eurovision 2026. Iceland and the Netherlands also confirmed their withdrawal from the 2027 contest, while Slovenia and Spain are still deciding. The EBU has set a December deadline for their decisions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2027 due to the Gaza conflict.
- RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst cited the war as the reason for the boycott.
- Iceland and the Netherlands have also confirmed their withdrawal from Eurovision 2027.
- Slovenia and Spain have until December to decide on their participation.
- RTÉ was one of five broadcasters that boycotted Eurovision 2026 over Israel's involvement.
Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2027, with the Director General of the Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, citing the ongoing war in Gaza as the reason. Bakhurst stated that participation would be "extremely difficult" given the situation and that a return to the contest is unlikely unless the situation significantly changes or Israel withdraws. RTÉ was one of five broadcasters that boycotted Eurovision 2026 in protest of Israel's participation.
Prior to the 2026 contest in Vienna, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) expressed hope for continued cooperation with RTÉ and aimed to address their concerns. Of the five countries that boycotted Eurovision 2026, Iceland, Ireland, and the Netherlands have now officially confirmed they will not return for 2027. Slovenia and Spain have yet to make a final decision, with the EBU granting their broadcasters, RTVE and RTVSLO respectively, a deadline of December to decide.
Irish political parties have supported RTÉ's decision to boycott the contest, with some advocating for extending this boycott to other international events involving Israel, including football matches.
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