Ireland to Boycott Eurovision Again Over Israel's Participation as Contest Keeps Expanding

Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest again over Israel's participation in the competition, according to Deutsche Welle, continuing a protest that also marked the 2026 edition of the contest.

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was marred by boycotts from several countries in protest against Israel's participation amid its war on Gaza, reflecting broader international divisions over the conflict that have extended into cultural and sporting arenas.

Despite the boycotts, the report notes that Eurovision still aims to keep growing, suggesting organizers intend to continue expanding the contest's reach even as some participating broadcasters withdraw over the political dispute.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, has faced sustained pressure from multiple member broadcasters and advocacy groups over Israel's inclusion, while Israeli officials and some other participants have argued that excluding the country would politicize what organizers describe as a non-political cultural event.

The available report does not specify which other countries, if any, plan to join Ireland's boycott for the coming edition, nor does it detail any formal response from the European Broadcasting Union to Ireland's renewed decision.

Eurovision has periodically faced participation disputes tied to broader geopolitical conflicts in the past, though the scale of boycotts linked to the war in Gaza has been notable in recent editions of the contest.