Ireland has announced it will again refrain from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, this time in the 2027 edition, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the reason for its withdrawal. The decision was made public by Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ on Thursday.

Ireland first boycotted the contest in 2026, joining four other countries—Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain—in protesting Israel’s participation due to concerns over the violence and loss of civilian life in Gaza. The Dutch broadcaster AvroTros also confirmed it would continue its boycott of the competition in 2027.

In its statement, RTÉ emphasized that it found participation in the contest untenable amid what it described as the “appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza,” highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the risk posed to civilians in the region. Consequently, the broadcaster will neither take part in the next contest nor air the event on Irish television.

The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, a city on the Black Sea, following Bulgaria’s first-ever victory in the competition earlier this year. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, acknowledged Ireland’s decision through its director, Martin Green, describing the withdrawal with regret but affirming respect for the broadcaster’s stance.

Last year’s contest saw Israel’s entry, “Michelle” performed by Noam Bettan, achieve second place, reflecting continued strong performances from the country despite the political tensions surrounding its involvement in the event.

The boycott by some European broadcasters underscores the ongoing debate over the intersection of cultural competitions and geopolitical conflicts, with some countries choosing to use the platform to express political positions while others prioritize the apolitical nature of the contest. The EBU maintains that Eurovision is a non-political event, promoting unity and cultural exchange across Europe and beyond.