Ireland's RTÉ pulls out of Eurovision for second year over Gaza war
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ will not participate in or broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, marking the second consecutive year it has pulled out over the war in Gaza.
RTÉ said its position on the contest remained unchanged, citing the continuing loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"Ireland's participation cannot be justified given the horrific and ongoing loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis which continues to endanger the lives of a vast number of civilians," the broadcaster said in a statement on Sept. 17.
Ireland last competed in Eurovision in 2025. RTÉ also withdrew from the 2026 contest amid controversy over Israel's participation.
The Irish broadcaster is not alone in boycotting the competition.
Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced in August that it would not participate in Eurovision 2027, saying the contest had "become a place of division."
Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia all withdrew from the 2026 competition amid objections to Israel's participation.
Slovenia's public broadcaster aired films about Palestine instead of broadcasting the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
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