This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41843385.html
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
co-creator Graham Linehan has mentioned he objects “in the strongest possible terms” to the comedy being proven instead of Eurovision and accused broadcaster RTE of an “antisemitic” boycott.
Ireland, Spain and Slovenia haven’t despatched a competitor to the seventieth iteration of the music competitors in protest in opposition to Israel’s conflict in Gaza, and won’t broadcast the ultimate.
Linehan has accused RTÉ of utilizing his present as “a tool of antisemitic harassment” and demanded the resignation of the director-general.
The Netherlands and Iceland are additionally not sending acts to compete in Eurovision however will air the ultimate.
Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 however Israel has continued to compete.
Linehan wrote on Twitter: “Please join me in demanding the resignation of RTÉ’s Director General for using as a tool of antisemitic harassment.”
He shared a hyperlink to a petition calling for the departure of Kevin Bakhurst, saying: “I am writing this petition with anger, and with grief — for what RTÉ has become, and for what it is doing to Ireland’s reputation.
“RTÉ has chosen to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest solely because Israel is participating.
“This is not a principled humanitarian stand. It is antisemitism — the oldest hatred — dressed up in the language of human rights.
“Singling out the world’s only Jewish state for exclusion, while no such standard is applied to any other nation, meets the internationally recognised IHRA definition of antisemitism.
“RTÉ has not boycotted Russia, Belarus, or Azerbaijan. It has boycotted Israel. The message is clear.
“To compound this disgrace, RTÉ has chosen to fill the Eurovision slot on Saturday night with my show — the Eurovision episode, — as an act of pointed, gleeful counter-programming.
“I did not give my permission for to be used as a prop in an antisemitic political gesture. I object to it in the strongest possible terms.
“This is not the Ireland I know. This is not the Ireland that gave to the world.
“RTÉ’s institutional antisemitism is poisoning Irish public life, normalising Jew-hatred under the guise of solidarity, and it must be confronted.”
The petition additionally requires the Minister for Media to launch “an independent review of antisemitism within RTÉ’s editorial decision-making”.
It has obtained 700 signatures.
Alternative programming can even be proven on RTÉ2 throughout the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday.
Ireland has gained the Eurovision Song Contest seven instances – a joint document with Sweden – with Eimear Quinn in 1996 the final Irish winner together with her music
RTÉ has been contacted for remark.
Earlier this month, Linehan had a conviction for damaging a transgender campaigner’s cell phone overturned.
Linehan was concerned in a confrontation with Sophia Brooks outdoors the Battle Of Ideas convention in Westminster on October 19 2024.
On May 1 Mrs Justice Amanda Tipples dominated his conviction for prison harm needs to be overturned.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41843385.html
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
