Irish Women in Harmony asked to remove Palestine badges for performance on the Late Late Show

RTÉ has confirmed members of the Irish Women in Harmony group were asked to remove badges and clothing which supported Palestine ahead of their live performance on last Friday's Late Late Show.

It has been reported by RTÉ that before the women's music collective performed their version of Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares to You", one of the members of the group was asked to change out of a t-shirt with Gaza and a heart printed on it.

Others were asked to remove watermelon badges which represent solidarity with those in Palestine.

Irish Artists for Palestine, a coalition group of artists against the war in Gaza said Sinéad O'Connor was a resolute protest singer who refused to be silenced and they commended the women who performed last night, while acknowledging the obstacles faced by women in the industry.

The coalition said that protest was a "crucial aspect of her legacy".

Some musicians pointed out the double standards, such as Clare Sands who in an impassioned post on X said 'Shame, Shame, Shame'.

The singer and fiddler went on to point out that the national broadcaster had platformed the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Elrich a few days pervious, who wore a badge at the time.

Shame Shame Shame @RTELateLateShow

You simply cannot have Dana Erlich wearing an Israeli badge a few days previous, then not allow a (technical) watermelon badge.

Double standards & so very embarrassing
@rte
Make up your minds please, what side of history do you stand on? https://t.co/u23la2Olf8

— Clare Sands (@ClareSandsCeol) February 18, 2024

An RTÉ spokesperson speaking on the Friday night incident said participants in RTÉ content are asked to not wear badges, symbols or emblems related to one particular point of view in the absence of a forum for a representation of all views.

The spokesperson continued to say that because Gaza and the conflict was not the subject of discussion or debate when the Women in Harmony group performed on Friday Night's Late Late Show.

The line up on Patrick Kielty's Friday night show included first minister Michelle O'Neill and Derry actor Stephen Rea.

O'Neill discussed with Kielty why she would be visiting the Whitehouse on Patrick's day in spite of the Biden administration's decision to fund the Israel Defence Force as they continue to wage warfare on the civilian population Gaza.