Ireland will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year, with RTÉ citing the continuing deaths and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The decision follows a similar announcement by Dutch broadcaster Avrotros and reflects ongoing protests over Israel’s participation, raising further questions about Eurovision’s political neutrality and its ability to unite broadcasters.

Eurovision 2027 is scheduled to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Bulgaria’s first victory in May. The European Broadcasting Union has introduced changes to voting and hosting rules in response to concerns about Israel and armed conflicts, but protests have continued. Palestinian authorities report more than 73,000 deaths in Gaza since the war began after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel; Gaza’s health ministry says 1,369 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire began on 11 October 2025.