Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ confirms Ireland will not participate in, or air, the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. RTÉ says its decision is linked to the ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis, and adds it remains concerned about what it describes as the continued denial of independent access for international journalists to the territory.
The decision comes after Ireland withdrew from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, following the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, to take part. Across outlets, RTÉ’s stated reasons focus on civilian harm in Gaza and broader issues about transparency and access to information. Eurovision officials respond by saying they regret RTÉ’s choice while respecting it and indicating they will remain in dialogue.
Some coverage also places Ireland’s boycott within wider changes and tensions surrounding Eurovision’s rules and neutrality. Outlets note other broadcasters and countries—such as the Netherlands, and five countries that withdrew in 2026—raised concerns about Israel’s participation and the contest’s neutrality, with the 2027 competition scheduled to be held in Bulgaria.
