Opinion
03 Jul 18

Over 4,000 Have Signed a Petition for Ireland to Boycott Eurovision 2019

Many Irish public figures have supported the call

Legendary RTÉ broadcaster Mike Murphy has joined over 4,200 Irish people in supporting a call for RTE to boycott Eurovision 2019 in Israel.

The petition first started by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has been picking up steam since its launch on Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge last week. Currently, 4,255 have signed the petition.

“I visited South Africa during the apartheid era and I believe that Israel’s policies of deprivation, discrimination and humiliation are as bad, if not worse,” Murphy is quoted as saying in a statement from the IPSC.

“I think we in Ireland need to stand up and be counted and say, ‘We’re not competing in the Eurovision in Israel’. It’s a small gesture, but it’s what Palestinians themselves are asking of us. It’s the very least we can do to support them,” Murphy also said in the statement from the pro-Palestine organisation.

It is tradition in Eurovision for the country of the winner in one tournament to host the next ceremony. Israel’s Netta won the competition this year with her song ‘Toy’.

However, Israel’s treatment of Palestinian’s protesting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the moving of the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been heavily criticised.

According to current reports, over 110 Palestinian’s were killed during the Gaza border protests. Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Robert Colville, condemned live ammunition being used by Israeli security forces on protestors.

Speaking to Hot Press, Zoe Lawlor of the IPSC said the organisation will speak to RTE 'soon' about the petition: "We will certainly talk to them and present them with the signatures and see if we can meet to discuss would they consider not going or not sending a crew to the Eurovision."

Murphy joins many other Irish celebrities in supporting the petition. These include former Eurovision presenters Carrie Crowley and Doireann Ni Bhriain, as well as Irish musicians Dee Armstrong, Paul Brady, Frances Black, Mary Black, Cormac Breatnach, Honor Heffernan, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore and Steve Wall.