RTÉ has asked the European Broadcasting Union for a discussion on Israel's involvement in next week's Eurovision.
It's due to the country's ongoing war on Gaza - which is the subject of an International Court of Justice case which accuses Israel of genocide.
Russia has been banned since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
There was huge controversy surrounding Israel's involvement last year - with the country finishing in fifth place - 86 percent of its vote coming from the public.
The Director General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst has said that RTÉ is now calling for “a discussion on on Israel’s inclusion” in the Eurovision Song Contest.
It’s after the RTÉ sub-branch of the National Union of Journalists sent a letter to Bakhurst calling on the broadcaster to formally oppose the country’s inclusion in the annual contest.
“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’s statement said.
“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.”
Public broadcasters in Iceland, Slovenia and Spain have also raised concerns around Israel’s participation this year.
The NUJ journalists also wrote to the EBU to raise their concerns.
In a response today, the Director of the Eurovision Song Martin Green contest noted that no member of the broadcasting union has publicly opposed the participation of Israel.
“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.”
The NUJ letter had called for RTÉ to “follow other European broadcasters in opposing Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025″.
Green’s statement said the EBU understands “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.”
There were large-scale protests against Israel’s inclusion in the contest last year, with two major demonstrations taking place in the host city of Malmö in Sweden. There was audible booing in the arena as the Israeli act, Eden Golan, performed.
Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival, is set to compete on behalf of Israel this year with her track New Day Will Rise. Israel are due to perform in the second semi-final on Thursday 15 May, with Ireland’s EMMY also singing on the same night.
