Ireland has confirmed it will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year, citing Israel’s continued participation in the contest amid the war in Gaza.
The decision follows an unprecedented wave of withdrawals surrounding the 2026 event, which marked the competition’s 70th anniversary in May. Five countries—Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia—boycotted the 2026 contest in protest against Israel’s involvement.
While Ireland has confirmed its decision to remain absent for the 2027 contest, national responses among former boycotting nations remain split. The Netherlands’ usual Eurovision broadcaster had previously announced it would snub the event, stating the competition “can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict.” However, Dutch public broadcasting association NPO subsequently stepped in to resume participation.
Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia have yet to make official announcements regarding their participation in 2027. Broadcasters across participating countries have until mid-October 2026 to withdraw their applications without incurring financial penalties.
Addressing the controversy at an annual European Broadcasting Union workshop in mid-September, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green emphasized the event’s cultural role despite geopolitical strains. “Bringing the world together through music has always been an incredibly powerful idea and has stood the test of time for 70 years,” Green said. “And I think the more difficult the world gets around us, the more important these shows of unity, these shows of togetherness become.”
The ongoing friction has prompted contest organizers to alter structural rules. In August 2026, organizers announced a regulation dictating that a winning country’s broadcaster will automatically be rendered ineligible to host the following year’s contest if an armed conflict, sensitive geopolitical situation, or other crisis materially impacts the stability, security, or safety of their state or immediate region.
The regulatory shift follows earlier administrative interventions by contest organizers. During the 2025 event, a widespread backlash emerged after the Israeli government encouraged citizens to register multiple votes for its contestant. In response to the voting controversy, organizers halved the maximum number of public votes permitted per voter.
Sources
DW News: https://www.dw.com/en/ireland-will-boycott-eurovision-again-because-of-israel-s-participation-but-the-song-contest-is-still-expanding/a-79401752?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf
Source: DW News
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Story synopsis gathered from: DW News — source
