The Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the National Union of Journalists wrote to the board today asking it to take a similar stance to other European public service broadcasters.
This followed a separate letter from the branch to director general Kevin Bakhurst seeking his opposition to Israel taking part in the song contest. It asked that he write to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) outlining the broadcaster’s “clear opposition” to Israel’s participation.
The letter requested that he call on the EBU to suspend Israel’s appearance at the Eurovision.
The NUJ branch said Iceland’s public broadcaster, RÚV, last week joined national broadcasters in Slovenia and Spain in publicly opposing Israel’s participation.
It said it had stated its failure to uphold international humanitarian obligations in Gaza.
“The position of our members is clear, “ said the chair of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch, Emma O’Kelly, following a lunchtime meeting today.
She said they do not believe that Israel should be allowed to participate in the Eurovision, and hope RTÉ will adopt the same view.
“As journalists, we note Israel’s targeting and killing of Palestinian media workers, who provide photographic, video and online content to newsrooms across the EBU in the absence of international journalists gaining access to Gaza,” she said.
“As well as the loss of life we are deeply concerned at the impact of this on media freedom and the EBU’s stated values.
“Considering all of the above, we are requesting that RTÉ, in line with other state broadcasters which have already done so, publicly and as a matter of urgency call on the EBU to suspend Israel’s appearance at Eurovision.”
Chair of the RTÉ sub-branch Trevor Keegan said what was pressing last week is even more pressing this week, “given Israel’s most recent pronouncement as to its intentions in Gaza”.
“The formal stance of the Irish state is reflected in strong public sentiment across Ireland, which abhors Israel’s actions,” he said.
Journalists have also written to the director general of the European Broadcasting Union, Noel Curran, a former director general of RTÉ.
The letter to Mr Bakhurst said Iceland’s public broadcaster RÚV had joined broadcasters in Slovenia and Spain in publicly opposing Israel’s participation in the song contest.
“This week (April 30th), during an open UN Security Council debate, Fergal Mythen, Ireland’s permanent representative to the UN, described what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank as “indicative of a complete disregard for international law, the UN Security Council and the integrity of the United Nations as an institution”.
It said he described the severe malnutrition of Gazan children as “deeply disturbing,” and Israeli strikes on humanitarian personnel and premises as “outrageous” and as having “crossed new thresholds”.
In a weekend interview, Emmy, who will represent Ireland at this year’s contest, cited a new European Broadcasting Union code of conduct when asked what she makes of Israel’s participation in the contest.
“I’m not sure I’m allowed to talk about it too much. But what I can say is that I feel like my most important job as an artist and as a songwriter is to bring comfort and happiness, as much as I can, through songs — especially in hard times,” she said..
An RTÉ spokesperson said Mr Bakhurst will take time to review the NUJ correspondence when he returns from annual leave tomorrow.
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