A petition calling on RTÉ not to televise this year's Eurovision Song Contest because of the participation of Israel was delivered to the national broadcaster’s Cork studios today.
Colm Crowley, head of RTÉ Cork accepted the petition this morning and it will now be delivered to Director General Kevin Bakhurst.
With more than 5,000 signatures, the petition calls on RTÉ not to televise this year’s event which takes place in Malmö, Sweden in May from 5 May.
Olivia O’Sullivan, a representative for Cobh Palestine Solidarity Campaign, delivered the petition to RTÉ.
She said it is "immoral to allow Israel to compete in the Eurovision" amid the bombardment of Gaza and added that RTÉ "should make clear that what Israel is doing is absolutely unacceptable".
A spokesperson said RTÉ said the station has "always approached the Eurovision Song Contest in the spirit in which it was founded; a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together through a shared love of music and entertainment".
The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union.
