Ireland will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in protest at the “continued loss of life” in Gaza. The country’s state broadcaster, RTE, said it will also not broadcast next year’s competition. Al Jazeera reported on August 17 that Ireland had also skipped this year’s contest in protest at Israel’s participation.
With the decision to boycott the 2027 contest, Ireland now joins the Netherlands, which has also said it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision. RTE said Ireland made the decision because of the continued loss of life in Gaza, and that the decision not to broadcast the contest was made for the same reason.
The Eurovision Song Contest is one of Europe’s biggest music competitions, with artists from various countries competing on behalf of their nations. Israel’s participation has drawn the contest into political controversy in recent years. Ireland withdrew from this year’s contest in protest at Israel’s participation, and has now decided to maintain the same position and skip next year’s competition as well.