RTÉ asks EBU for 'discussion' on Israel's inclusion in Eurovision
Yuval Raphael will represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
RTÉ’s director general has confirmed the broadcaster has asked the European Broadcasting Union for a discussion on Israel's inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Kevin Bakhurst said he is "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.”
He said that RTÉ is mindful of their obligations as an independent, impartial news provider, and 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," he added.
Earlier, in a response to a letter published by members of the National Union of Journalists at RTÉ calling on the broadcaster to formally oppose Israel's participation, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest said no participating EBU member had publicly opposed Israeli broadcaster Kan's participation in the event.
"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," Martin Green said in a statement.
"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."
Mr Green said the organisers of the song contest "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.
"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," he added.
Mr Green said the EBU is "an association of public service broadcasters, not governments, who are all eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest every year if they meet the requisite requirements".
"It is not our role to make comparisons between conflicts," he added.
Mr Green said as part of its mission to secure a sustainable future for public service media, the EBU is "supporting our Israeli Member Kan against the threat from being privatised or shut down by the Israeli government.
"The EBU remains aligned with other international organizations that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time."
The Eurovision Song Contest takes place next week in Basel, Switzerland.
Israel is to be represented in the contest by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. EMMY will represent Ireland.
