Ireland has decided to abstain from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year due to Israel’s involvement, as announced by the country’s national broadcaster on Thursday. RTE stated that they will not field a representative at the 2027 event in Bulgaria and will not air the show, citing concerns over the “distressing and continuous loss of lives in Gaza.”
This decision follows similar actions taken by five other countries, including the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia, and Spain, who also chose to forgo the Eurovision contest this year in protest of Israel’s participation. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS recently declared their intention to boycott the event next year, labeling Eurovision as a “platform for creating divisions.”
AVROTROS justified its decision by stating that they will not partake in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest due to the event no longer being perceived as impartial, especially with a participating nation still embroiled in a significant military conflict. The upcoming competition is scheduled to be held in May in the Black Sea resort of Burgas, Bulgaria.