Ireland’s premier has described his country’s withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest as an “act of solidarity”. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he “fully understands” the decision taken by national broadcaster RTE to pull out of the contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate amid the conflict in Gaza.
Speaking at the British-Irish Council, Mr Martin highlighted the bravery of medical professionals and journalists in Gaza, saying the boycott was, among other things, an “act of solidarity with those journalists who were killed in breach of international humanitarian law”. He added that without those journalists, “the world would not have known to the degree that it knows the horrors of what transpired in Gaza”.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the move sent a “strong message”, but deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly countered that a boycott “won’t make a jot of difference” to the situation in the Middle East. She urged focus on stabilising the ceasefire instead.
Tanaiste Simon Harris said he understood the context for RTE’s decision, noting the hundreds of journalists killed and the lack of free media access to Gaza. He described the situation as “a genocide” and said RTE acted editorially independent of the government.
