Ireland “can’t go on” with next year's Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s participation, according to a Labour Party TD.
On The Hard Shoulder today, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on RTÉ to take a stand and pull out of next year’s event, scheduled to take place in May.
Israel’s participation in the competition has faced criticism amid ongoing fighting with Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed at least 20,000 Palestinian lives.
Listened to
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said Ireland would be listened to if they decided not to take part, as the most successful country in Eurovision history.
“This small symbolic step from Ireland would, I think, encourage others to follow the same route,” he said.
“If the Eurovision doesn’t happen because of Israel's participation then so be it.
“I think in years to come when the history of this conflict is being written, we want a little asterisk beside our name as a country that was different.”
Wild Youth represented Ireland at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Picture by: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBUThe Dublin Bay North TD said Ireland has a perspective on the Israel-Hamas conflict that is lost on many other countries.
“We do have moral and historic obligations to say things differently to the rest of the world,” said Deputy Ó Ríordáin.
“Ireland has suffered with its conflicts, its own internal divisions.
“We can bring a different perspective, as on a European level it’s been quite sickening to see the stances of countries like Germany and Austria.”
Participation
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said Israel’s participation would not sit well with many people.
“You have a situation with the Eurovision contest where Israel will be invited in to wave their flags in a joyful way on that huge platform,” he said.
“I think we have to reconsider whether a big player in Eurovision history such as Ireland wants to be involved.
“If we don’t want to be involved and it doesn’t sit easily with our sense of the world, we should just withdraw and tell everyone why we’re doing it.”
International community
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said Ireland needs to disconnect from Israel.
“I think we have more stature on the international stage than people give credit for us here,” he said.
“I think at the very least, we will have shown that all of Israel's interactions on the international stage are now being sullied and tarnished by their involvement.
“We should make this stand and express our upset with Israel’s involvement.”
The Labour Party TD added that disconnecting from South Africa in the 90s helped to bring an end to apartheid there.
Israel has won the Eurovision Song Contest four times in its history, most recently in 2018.
Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin speaking outside Leinster House in November 2021. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie
