Ireland has decided to abstain from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year due to Israel’s involvement, as stated by the country’s national broadcaster on Thursday. RTE confirmed its decision not to field a contestant in the upcoming 2027 competition in Bulgaria and to abstain from airing the event, citing the ongoing conflict and loss of lives in Gaza as the primary reasons.
This move follows a similar stance taken by Ireland and four other countries – the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia, and Spain – who also chose to forgo participation in this year’s Eurovision in protest against Israel’s inclusion in the competition. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, in a recent announcement, declared its boycott of next year’s event, denouncing Eurovision as a platform that fosters division.
AVROTROS justified its decision by stating that the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be viewed as a neutral platform, especially with a participating nation embroiled in a significant military conflict. The upcoming 2027 edition of the competition is scheduled to be held in May in the Black Sea resort of Burgas, Bulgaria.