RTÉ said it would withdraw from the contest “if Israel is permitted to compete,” referring to “the ongoing situation and the horrifying death toll in the Gaza Strip” and voicing alarm over conditions for civilians and journalists.
“RTÉ is also deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza, and the denial of access to international journalists to the territory, and the plight of the remaining hostages,” it said.
Broadcasters in other countries have taken comparable stances.
Slovenia’s RTVSLO said it, too, would not participate if Israel is allowed to compete.
Spain’s culture minister expressed a similar view, while Iceland’s RÚV linked its decision to the outcome of talks led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision.
Stefán Eiríksson of RÚV said the Icelandic broadcaster “reserves the right to withdraw from participation in the program if the EBU does not provide a satisfactory response,” according to the BBC.
Eurovision’s executive director Martin Green said the EBU “understands the concerns and strong emotions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” He said the EBU is consulting with member broadcasters on Israel’s status. Participants have until mid-December to confirm whether they will take part.
More than 70 former Eurovision participants have signed a letter urging Israel’s exclusion.
Frank Dermody, head of Ireland’s Eurovision fan club, backed RTÉ’s stance, saying it is “increasingly hard to watch a country use a contest of peace and love to spread the opposite.”
He said Eurovision typically fields 37–40 countries and warned that, if the boycott trend holds, the next edition could shrink to a dozen to 20 entrants. The contest is due in May in Vienna.
Political pressure has also grown. In May, Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, urged Israel to withdraw from Eurovision, saying it should be held to the same standard applied to Russia over Ukraine.
He later accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “exterminating a defenseless people” by bombing hospitals and “killing innocent boys and girls with hunger.”
As the EBU’s consultations continue, broadcasters offered mixed signals about their plans. The Guardian said it asked more than 20 broadcasters about participation; many, including the BBC, referred questions back to the EBU.
Spain’s RTVE declined to comment on whether it would compete.
RÚV said it would not decide until the consultation ends. Finland’s YLE said it is “fully focused” on selecting a song after launching the process in August.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is tragic, and we sincerely hope for an end to the suffering as soon as possible. Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a significant topic of discussion in Finland,” said Johanna Törn-Mangs, YLE’s director of culture and factual content.
Sweden’s SVT said it is in touch with the EBU.
(jh)
Source: RMF24, The Guardian, Deadline