He had earlier this week asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision song contest later this month, after the National Union of Journalists in RTÉ wrote to management in protest at Israel’s inclusion.
Mr Balhurst confirmed yesterday that RTÉ will not be withdrawing from this year’s Eurovision.
“Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed that he, along with RTÉ’s Director of Video, Steve Carson, had a meeting today with the EBU and raised RTÉ’s concerns,” the broadcaster said in a statement today.
It added: “There is a commitment from the EBU to have a wider discussion amongst members in due course”.
On Wednesday, Mr Bakhurst said he was “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 on Wednesday.
“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.”
The comments come as a protest is set to be staged outside RTÉ’s studio in Donnybrook this evening over the broadcaster’s refusal to withdraw from the contest, with the final to be staged on Saturday May 17.
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign and members of the NUJ at RTÉ will attend a mini-concert calling for Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2025.
Israel has killed around 52,000 people in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, surprise attack by Palestinian militants in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 abducted.
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