Ireland has announced that it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The country’s public broadcaster, RTÉ, confirmed the decision citing concerns over civilian casualties in the region and restrictions on international journalists’ access to the area.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), responsible for organizing Eurovision, acknowledged Ireland’s decision and expressed hope that the country might rejoin the competition in the future. The 2027 contest is set to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May.
Ireland’s withdrawal follows a similar stance taken in 2026 when the country, along with the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia, boycotted the event after the EBU allowed Israel to participate. The Netherlands has also indicated that it will not be part of the 2027 contest, although its broadcasters are exploring alternatives for representation.
While Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia have not yet made their positions clear for the upcoming event, RTÉ’s firm stance underlines the broadcaster’s commitment to ethical considerations amid geopolitical tensions. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked international debate and has influenced several countries to reconsider their participation in global events like Eurovision.