Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has said he objects "in the strongest possible terms" to RTÉ showing the sitcom's Eurovision-themed episode on the night of this year's Eurovision Song Contest final.
In a petition shared on social media, Linehan accused RTÉ of using the episode as "a tool of antisemitic harassment" and called for the resignation of RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst.
Linehan claimed RTÉ had "chosen to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest solely because Israel is participating" and described the broadcaster's position as "antisemitism".
He said: "To compound this disgrace, RTÉ has chosen to fill the Eurovision slot on Saturday night with my show - the Father Ted Eurovision episode, "A Song for Europe" - as an act of pointed, gleeful counter-programming.
"I did not give my permission for Father Ted to be used as a prop in an antisemitic political gesture. I object to it in the strongest possible terms."
RTÉ One, where the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final is usually aired, will show the Irish film That They May Face the Rising Sun on Saturday night.
RTÉ2 will air the Father Ted episode A Song for Europe, in which priests Ted and Dougal perform My Lovely Horse.
RTÉ declined to comment in response to Linehan's petition.
The broadcaster issued a statement in December which said Ireland's participation in the contest remained "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk".
The statement also said RTÉ remained "deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory".
Ireland, Spain and Slovenia are not taking part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest and will not broadcast the final. The Netherlands and Iceland are also not sending acts to compete but will air the contest.
Russia was banned from Eurovision following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Israel has continued to compete.
Ireland has won the Eurovision Song Contest seven times, a joint record with Sweden. Eimear Quinn was the last Irish winner, taking the title in 1996 with The Voice.
Linehan co-created Father Ted with Arthur Mathews.
Additional reporting: Press Association
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