The Tánaiste has expressed his strong backing for a potential boycott of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete, reports Breaking News.
Simon Harris described the crisis in Gaza as “so appallingly grave” — pointing specifically to a man-made famine — and said that this level of severity justifies the decision.
Ireland is one of several nations to announce it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest should Israel be included in the lineup, reports Breaking News.
RTÉ stated on Thursday that Ireland’s involvement in the event would be “unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza”.
Other countries, such as the Netherlands and Spain, have made comparable commitments, reports Breaking News.
Eurovision organizers have responded by saying that it remains the choice of each individual country whether to participate.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday, Mr Harris remarked that the global response to Gaza had been delayed.
“Being honest, I think when people look back at this period in time – this period when it will be a period of history – I think people will say that everybody acted too late,” the Irish foreign affairs minister said, reports Breaking News.
“That’s not a criticism of RTE, by the way, but I just think, in general, the loss of human life, the slaughtering of children, the famine-like conditions, man-made famine-like conditions – I’m not sure we’ve had a famine in recent times where there’s been enough food to feed the people just being blocked from getting in – in a very, very long time. So, I think the world, every part of it, could have acted quicker in relation to this, but I welcome the step that RTE has taken. In general, I’ve always said – and I’ve said this several times when I think you’ve asked me similar questions about sport and the likes – and I’ve always tried to differentiate between art, between sport and between political action. But the situation is now so grave, I mean, so appallingly grave, that I fully support the decision that RTE have taken,” reports Breaking News.
“It’s a long time till the next Eurovision Song Contest and the priority for the world has to be to end the genocide in the here and now. That’s why we need to take economic actions, economic sanctions at a European level, European wide, that will have a real impact,” reports Breaking News.
“Netanyahu might only listen to the US administration, politically, but economically he’ll have to listen to the European Union, if we can find the political courage to act in unison and take some practical sanctions in the coming days,” reports Breaking News.
When asked about a draft law to ban trade between Ireland and Israeli settlements considered illegal on Palestinian land, Mr Harris confirmed he still aims to see the legislation passed.
“It’s my preference that we ban trade at a European level. That would be much more impactful, of course, if that happens – there’s no evidence of a majority for that yet – then there’s a legitimate question, there isn’t a need for national action. But we’re not at that point and I do expect the occupied Palestinian territories Bill to progress,” reports Breaking News.
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