In a statement from the Irish broadcaster RTÉ, it states the European Broadcasting Union has committed to a ‘wider discussion’ regarding Israel’s participation in the contest.

Today, the Irish broadcaster met with the European Broadcasting Union to raise concerns regarding Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest. On May 7, the Director General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, stated that:

“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. 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.”

The broadcaster has confirmed in a press statement that the Director General and RTÉ’s Director of Video, Steve Carson, met with the European Broadcasting Union to raise their concerns. The statement reads:

“Further to the comments from RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst on Wednesday 7th May – included below – in which he asked the EBU for a discusion on Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest and to his confirmation yesterday that RTÉ will not be withdrawing from this year’s Eurovision, Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed that he, along with RTÉ’s Director of Video, Steve Carson had a meeting today with the EBU and raised RTÉ’s concerns. There is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course.”

The broadcasters of Slovenia, Spain and Iceland, have all previously expressed concerns regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025. Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green commented earlier this week that the EBU’s role is to “keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and inclusive”:

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.

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.

Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a controversial topic since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Many artists and musicians in Europe have called for Israel to be excluded from the competition because of their involvement in military action.

This year, over 70 Eurovision-affiliated artists, including former winners, signed an open letter calling for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to bar Israel from participating. In addition, Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo has questioned whether Israel’s participation is “at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold”.

Image source: Daniel Stridh | Source: RTÉ

Like this:

Like Loading…

Tags: Headline

Posted by:Eurovoix Team

News from the Eurovoix Team