5,000 Cork people signed a petition calling on RTÉ not to televise this year’s Eurovision
The petition will be delivered on Friday.
Thousands of Cork people have added their signatures in support of a campaign calling on RTÉ not to televise this year’s Eurovision Song Contest because of the participation of Israel.
Olivia O’Sullivan, a grandmother and a member of Cobh Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will deliver the petition containing more than 5,000 signatures to RTE studios, Father Matthew Street Cork at 10.30am this Friday, April 19th.
“It is immoral to allow Israel to compete in the Eurovision while it is murdering the population of Gaza with bombs and famine.” said Ms O’Sullivan.
“There are more than 33,700 dead, including 14,000 children. My heart breaks when I see the videos of children dying on the streets, with no medical help to even ease their pain. Hospitals have been destroyed and aid workers murdered. Gaza is a living hell and the Israeli government refuses to stop until it wipes Palestine off the map.”
‘Culture is not neutral’
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place in the Malmö Arena on Saturday, May 11th, with Cork performer Bambie Thug performing Doomsday Blue as Ireland’s entry.
“How can RTE even think about broadcasting a Eurovision that includes Israel? As the national broadcaster of a country which also experienced colonial repression, it should make clear that what Israel is doing is absolutely unacceptable.” she added.
Supporters of the campaign believe that broadcasting the Israeli entry “only normalises its actions”.
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“Culture is not neutral. Artists throughout Ireland are standing with Palestine, composing songs and writing poetry in solidarity. Coming together in events with Palestinian artists, intertwining our experiences and raising money to help them in their hour of need.
“The majority of Irish people identify with Palestinians and deeply oppose what Israel is doing. Our national broadcaster should listen to our protests. RTE should make a clear stand.”
Ms O’Sullivan also suggested that “people should consider cancelling their TV license payments if RTE refuses to listen to our calls not to televise the Eurovision.”
