Ireland Boycotts Eurovision 2027 Over Gaza Crisis and Israel's Participation

Ireland has a long history with the Eurovision Song Contest, both as a participant and as a previous winner. However, tensions have grown in recent years over the inclusion of Israel in the competition, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In 2026, Ireland took the rare step of boycotting the contest, citing humanitarian concerns related to the Gaza crisis. This decision was driven by increasing public and political pressure to respond to international events.

On September 17, 2026, Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ announced that the country would once again boycott the Eurovision Song Contest, this time for the 2027 event. The broadcaster made it clear that the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's participation were central reasons for the move, according to GB News.

RTÉ confirmed that not only would Ireland not send an entry, but it would also refrain from broadcasting the 2027 contest, which is set to be held in Bulgaria, as reported by Telegraaf.

This marks the second consecutive year that Ireland has chosen not to participate, reflecting a consistent stance on the issue. Other countries have reportedly taken similar actions in response to the same concerns.

The decision has generated discussion about the intersection of culture, politics, and international conflict, with RTÉ stating that their position has not changed from the previous year, according to BirGün.

Coverage from AP News and Arab News both highlight that Ireland's move is closely tied to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel's continued presence at Eurovision.

Ireland will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcaster RTÉ has reiterated that their stance remains unchanged while the humanitarian situation in Gaza persists and Israel remains a participant.

There is no indication yet of when, or if, Ireland might return to Eurovision in the future. The focus remains on the geopolitical context and the broader response from other countries.