Ireland's RTÉ opposes Israel's entry in Eurovision

Irish national broadcaster RTÉ asked for a discussion with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, reported the BBC.

RTÉ's director general, Kevin Bakhurst, expressed that he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages".

He added that RTÉ hoped for a discussion "notwithstanding the fact that the criterion for participating" is having an EBU membership.

He also maintained that he was mindful of his organisation's commitment to reporting the war in Gaza objectively. "We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel's public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government," he said.

Eurovision is the world's biggest annual live televised music event, reaching around 160 million viewers, as per AFP. The event begins with Sunday's opening ceremony, when all 37 competing countries' entrants will parade through Basel.

Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023 attack, will be representing Israel at the event this year. However, over 70 former Eurovision competitors opposed Israel's participation due to the war in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The old contestants, including Ireland's 1994 winner Charlie McGettigan, signed a letter that called for a ban on Israel and Kan. "By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalising and whitewashing its crimes," the joint letter read.

In an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, Emma O'Kelly of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at RTÉ showed solidarity with Bakhurt's statement, stressing the importance of speaking out against Israel.

"We believe this is RTÉ listening to its staff, but more importantly, listening to public sentiment here in Ireland, which is just outrage at Israel's actions in Gaza," she said. "We don't believe that the EBU should be giving a country such as this a platform."

Last year too, several campaigns opposed the participation of Israel's Eden Golan, though the EBU ruled that Golan was allowed to perform.