Ireland’s RTé opposes Israel’s entrance to Eurovision

The Irish National Broadcasting Organization RTé has called for a debate with the European Union of Broadcasting Broadcasting Rights for Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC said.

RTé’s general manager Kevin Bakhurst expressed that “he was terrified by the ongoing events in the Middle East and the scary impact on the citizens of Gaza and the fate of Israeli hostages”.

He added that Rté hopes for a discussion “despite the fact that the criterion for participation” is involved in the EBU.

He also argued that he was aware of his body’s commitment to objectively report the war in Gaza. “We are also very careful in serious political pressure on Israel’s broadcasting body, Kan, by the Israeli government,” he said.

Eurovision is the largest annual live television music event in the world, reaching about 160 million spectators, according to AFP. The event begins with Sunday’s opening ceremony, when all 37 participants in competitive countries will provide through the reign.

Yuval Raphael, who survived the attack of 7 October 2023, will represent Israel at the event this year. However, more than 70 former Eurovision competitors opposed Israel’s involvement due to the Gaza war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Old contestants, including 1994 Ireland winner Charlie McGgettigan, signed a letter requesting a ban on Israel and Kan. “Continuing the platform for Israeli state representation, EBU is smooth and deals with its crimes,” the joint letter said.

In an interview with the BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra Program, Emma O’Kelly of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in RTé showed solidarity with Bakhurt’s statement, underlining the importance of speech against Israel.

“We believe this is the RTé to hear its staff, but most importantly, to hear the public feeling here in Ireland, which is merely anger in Israel’s actions in Gaza,” he said. “We do not believe that eBu should give a country like this a platform.”

Last year, several campaigns opposed the participation of Israel’s Eden Golan, though EBU ruled that Golan was able to execute.