Protesters call for RTE and BBC boycott of Eurovision
The demonstrators, some wearing keffiyehs, waved Palestinian flags and held up banners with slogans including 'you can't culturewash genocide' and 'you need to boycott Israel now'.
Organisers staged a mini-concert featuring short speeches as well as musical performances of anti-war and pro-Palestinian songs.
Those taking part were calling for Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2025, saying more than 70 former contestants have backed the campaign to see Israel's national broadcaster KAN banned.
They note that the organisation behind the event, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), indefinitely suspended Russia and Belarus in 2022.
The event featured artists, musicians and LGBT and human rights activists as well as the chairman of an RTE sub-branch of the NUJ Trevor Keegan.
RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst said it would not pull its entry – Laika Party performed by singer Emmy – out of the competition.
However, he said he had written to the EBU, chaired by Irishman and former RTE director general Noel Curran, to ask for a 'discussion' on Israel's inclusion in the contest in May.
Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Zoe Lawlor accused Israel's national broadcaster of attempting to 'culturewash' an apartheid ideology at Eurovision.
She said: 'It's vital to exclude the genocidal apartheid state of Israel from this global cultural platform now.
'Ireland showed the way in the 1980s, standing resolutely against the racist and murderous crimes of apartheid South Africa.
'RTE can help do the same now, by withdrawing its participation and standing on the side of humanity, equality and human rights.'
Earlier on Friday, several pro-Palestine demonstrators picketed outside a BBC studio in Belfast city centre.
The activists banged dustbin lids on walls and shouted chants criticising the corporation's coverage of the conflict in Gaza.
They also called for a boycott of Eurovision, to which the BBC is sending Remember Monday with the song What the Hell Just Happened?
Eurovision, which is hosted by the EBU, will begin on May 13 in Switzerland with the final on May 17.
Israel is set to be represented at the contest by Yuval Raphael, 24, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attack.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
15 minutes ago
- The Guardian
BBC asks police to investigate new Strictly allegations, reports say
The BBC has asked the police to investigate Strictly Come Dancing amid fresh allegations, according to reports, after claims two of its stars used cocaine. The Sun on Sunday reported that the corporation has alerted the Metropolitan police to new allegations about the dance competition show, the details of which it does not specify. A BBC spokesperson said on Saturday the corporation does not comment on police investigations. It comes after reports in the Sun earlier this month alleged two Strictly cast members' drug use was discussed on the show, and said that the corporation had appointed law firm Pinsent Masons to lead the investigation. The show was also the subject of a review in 2024, when the BBC looked into allegations of bullying and harassment against former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made – and introduced a series of new measures aimed at improving welfare. This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present 'at all times' during training room rehearsals. EastEnders star James Borthwick was also suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. The cocaine use allegations were reportedly made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. It is understood that the BBC often appoints external law firms to help it lead investigations. The BBC spokesperson previously said: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The Metropolitan police has been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
29 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
BBC calls in police to investigate new Strictly allegations
A BBC spokesperson said on Saturday the corporation does not comment on police investigations. It comes after reports in The Sun earlier this month alleged two Strictly cast members' drug use was discussed on the BBC dancing show, and said that the corporation had appointed law firm Pinsent Masons to lead the investigation. The scandal-hit show was also the subject of a review in 2024, when the BBC looked into allegations of bullying and harassment against former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made – and introduced a series of new measures aimed at improving welfare. This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present 'at all times' during training room rehearsals. EastEnders star James Borthwick was also suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. The cocaine use allegations were reportedly made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. It is understood that the BBC often appoints external law firms to help it lead investigations. The BBC spokesperson previously said: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. 'We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Match of the Day: Mark Chapman makes quip as show starts life after Gary Lineker
Mark Chapman opened with a joke as he introduced the first Saturday night Match of the Day since Gary Lineker's departure from the show. Chapman is one of three new presenters on the BBC's Saturday night highlights show, rotating with Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, and was first up in the chair at the start of the new season. Introducing the show, Chapman said: 'The Premier League is back and Match of the Day is back. You may have seen and heard there's a big change to the show this season, and that is that Wayne Rooney has joined is us as a regular pundit. 'Some things don't change though, and Alan (Shearer) is still here.' Former England captain Rooney, 39, has joined the show after leaving his most recent spell in management at Plymouth back in December. Chapman, 51, has previously hosted Match of the Day when Lineker was unavailable, and was the regular host of the Sunday show, Match of the Day 2. From this season, the Sunday highlights, as well as the new Champions League highlights show, will all be known as Match of the Day. On Wednesday, Cates hosted a programme to preview the new Premier League season alongside Rooney, Danny Murphy and Julien Laurens. Logan is due to host Match of the Day's Sunday night programme this week. Lineker's final show came at the end of last season on May 26 in a long-planned move. The 64-year-old had planned to front the BBC's live coverage of the FA Cup and 2026 World Cup, but brought forward his departure following a social media row in which he shared a post about Zionism featuring a depiction of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic trope. Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter and host of Match of the Day since 1999, apologised unreservedly for the post but said it was 'best for all concerned' if he left completely.
