RTÉ outlines stance on Eurovision 2027 after 2026 boycott over Gaza concerns

RTÉ has not committed to returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after boycotting the 2026 edition over Israel’s participation. Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ’s director general, said on May 20 that he saw “no reason” at present for Ireland to change course, while adding that the broadcaster had not yet begun a formal process on next year’s contest. His comments came days after the 2026 final in Vienna, which went ahead without Ireland and four other broadcasters. RTÉ said it would review its position in the coming months. ### What exactly did RTÉ say about 2027? Kevin Bakhurst said earlier this week that RTÉ had not started planning for Eurovision 2027 but did not signal any immediate shift back toward participation. Asked whether the boycott could continue into next year, he said he saw “no reason” why RTÉ’s stance would change for now, according to a report published May 20. (inthacity.com) Bakhurst said RTÉ’s rationale “still holds” because civilians were still dying in Gaza and Lebanon and journalists were still being targeted. He added that, as a public service broadcaster that believes in protecting journalists and human rights, RTÉ had “no reason at the moment to change our decision,” but would review the matter in the coming months. (inthacity.com) ### Why did Ireland boycott Eurovision 2026 in the first place? RTÉ said on Dec. 5, 2025 that Ireland would not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2026 after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel would remain in the contest. The broadcaster said Irish participation was “unconscionable” given the loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there. (inthacity.com) That RTÉ statement also cited concern about the “targeted killing of journalists in Gaza” and the continued denial of access to international journalists. The EBU’s decision followed a Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which members did not call a vote on Israel’s participation. (rte.ie) ### How isolated was RTÉ’s boycott? Five broadcasters, including RTÉ, were absent from the 2026 contest, according to RTÉ’s reporting from Vienna after the final. RTÉ said Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland also stayed out of the competition over Israel’s inclusion. Martin Green, the Eurovision Song Contest director, told RTÉ News in an interview published May 19 that the absent broadcasters were like missing members of a “big family.” He said the EBU would do “everything we can” to address the concerns raised by RTÉ and the other broadcasters that did not take part. (rte.ie 1) (rte.ie 2) ### What has the EBU said about Israel’s place in the contest? Martin Green told RTÉ that his first view was that Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, is the participant in Eurovision and that the EBU does not believe broadcasters are responsible for the actions of their governments. He added that he understood and respected the opposing view. (rte.ie) The EBU had earlier defended Israel’s continued participation through its membership framework, while adopting new rules ahead of the 2026 contest that RTÉ said were intended to discourage outside efforts to influence the result. ### What happens next before a 2027 decision? (rte.ie) Bulgaria will host Eurovision 2027 after singer Dara won the 2026 contest, RTÉ reported from Vienna. Bakhurst said RTÉ would revisit its position in the coming months, but there was no final decision as of May 20. Belgian broadcaster VRT has also raised doubts about taking part next year, according to the May 20 report on Bakhurst’s comments. (rte.ie) That leaves the EBU facing another round of talks with national broadcasters before the 2027 lineup is settled. (inthacity.com) (rte.ie)