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Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Gaza humanitarian crisis
Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, has announced it will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria. This marks the second consecutive year the country will neither participate in nor broadcast the event.
RTÉ cited the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the loss of life in Gaza as the primary reasons for the decision. The broadcaster stated that participation “cannot be justified” given the situation and expressed deep concern regarding the lack of independent access for international journalists to the territory.
Ireland joins the Netherlands, whose broadcaster Avrotros has also announced a boycott for 2027, arguing the contest can no longer be considered neutral while a participant is involved in a large-scale military conflict. The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 is scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria.
Martin Green, the Director of Eurovision, expressed regret over the decision but noted that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) respects the choice of individual broadcasters. The boycott movement follows previous withdrawals from the 2026 contest by several nations, including Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia, in protest of Israel's participation.
Entities
AVROTROS · Bulgaria · European Broadcasting Union · Eurovision Song Contest · Gaza · Ireland · Israel · Martin Green · RTÉ
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Bulgaria. www.reader.gr · www.ethnos.gr · evoke.ie
- [● 2 SOURCES] RTÉ expressed concern regarding the lack of independent access for international journalists in Gaza. www.ethnos.gr · evoke.ie
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS previously announced it would also boycott the 2027 contest. www.reader.gr · halktv.com.tr · www.thepinknews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ireland's withdrawal from the 2027 contest is the second consecutive year of non-participation. www.ethnos.gr · halktv.com.tr · www.thepinknews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] RTÉ will not broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. www.reader.gr · www.ethnos.gr · evoke.ie · halktv.com.tr · www.thepinknews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) voted to allow Israel's participation in the contest. halktv.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eurovision director Martin Green stated he respects RTÉ's decision to withdraw. evoke.ie
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ireland will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. www.reader.gr · www.ethnos.gr · evoke.ie · halktv.com.tr · www.thepinknews.com