Eurovision takes place later this month
RTÉ has requested a ‘discussion’ on Israel’s inclusion in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Director General Kevin Bakhurst says.
It comes after the RTÉ sub-branch of the National Union of Journalists sent a letter to Bakhurst calling on RTÉ to formally oppose Israel’s inclusion.
“I am appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages,” Bakhurst wrote.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the criterion for participating in the Eurovision Song Contest is membership of the European Broadcasting Union, RTÉ has nonetheless asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel’s inclusion in the contest.
“In doing this, we are mindful of RTÉ’s obligations as an independent, impartial public service news and current affairs provider, and of the need to maintain RTÉ’s objectivity in covering the war in Gaza. We are also very mindful of the severe political pressure on Israel’s public service broadcaster, Kan, from the Israeli government.”
RTÉ is not the only public broadcaster to raise concerns over Israel’s Eurovision participation. Broadcasters in Iceland, Spain and Slovenia have also raised concerns.
Director of the Eurovision Song Contest Martin Green previously said that no participating member of the European Broadcasting Union had publicly opposed Israel’s inclusion.
“No participating EBU member broadcaster, who have all been widely consulted, has “publicly opposed” Israeli broadcaster Kan’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest – despite the claims in another letter from RTÉ journalists,” Green said.
“The broadcasters mentioned in the letter, RTVE in Spain and RTVSLO in Slovenia, requested a discussion and RÚV in Iceland has informed us of their foreign minister’s comments on Kan’s participation.”
He said the organisers “understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.
“The EBU is not immune to global events but, together, with our members, it is our role to ensure the contest remains – at its heart – a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music.”
He added: “We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and inclusive and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.”
Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, is due to represent Israel in the contest, which takes place on Saturday 17 May.
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