Ireland has announced it will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year citing concerns over Israel’s participation amid ongoing violence in Gaza. The national broadcaster RTÉ stated on Thursday that it would neither send an entry nor broadcast the 2027 contest, scheduled to take place in May in Burgas, Bulgaria.

RTÉ justified its decision by pointing to the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis" that continues to endanger many civilians. Ireland was among five countries—including Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia—that abstained from this year’s competition in protest against Israel's involvement.

The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS also confirmed its boycott last month, describing Eurovision as a "platform for division" and asserting the contest can no longer be regarded as neutral given the participation of a country involved in active military conflict. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, is reportedly engaging with other Dutch public broadcasters to explore alternate avenues for the Netherlands’ participation.

Eurovision’s director, Martin Green, expressed regret over RTÉ’s decision but emphasized respect for their stance. He highlighted the contest's intent to foster unity across diverse communities, calling this role increasingly important amid global divisions. Green noted that participation in Eurovision is determined annually by each broadcaster and affirmed the EBU’s commitment to dialogue with RTÉ with hopes of their eventual return.

The EBU has taken steps in recent years to address concerns linked to Israel’s involvement. Following allegations of disproportionate public voting campaigns last year, it limited the number of votes an individual could cast online or by phone. Additionally, the EBU declared that broadcasters from states engaged in armed conflicts or sensitive geopolitical situations would be ineligible to host future contests.

Since Israel’s debut in Eurovision in 1973, its participation has frequently sparked protests both at the event venues and beyond, reflecting the ongoing political sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The next contest in Burgas will follow Bulgaria’s first-time victory in 2026 by singer Dara, maintaining Eurovision’s status as a prominent annual cultural event across Europe and beyond.