Mr. Bakhurst has reached out to the European Broadcasting Union to discuss Israel's inclusion in the upcoming Eurovision contest. He emphasized that RTÉ will not withdraw its Irish entry, expressing concern for the precarious position of Israel's public broadcaster amid governmental pressures. While acknowledging differing opinions on Israel's participation, he believes that the matter warrants further discussion given heightened public concern and has expressed his dismay regarding ongoing Middle Eastern events. Bakhurst has previously engaged in conversations with EBU director general Noel Curran about these issues.
"It's just to have conversation, but it's very complicated, and the position of the Israeli public service broadcaster - who is, in the end, who enters this competition - is pretty precarious and they're under a lot of pressure from the Israeli government, and I don't want to undermine the Israeli public service broadcaster."
"It is very complicated issue, and I'm very well aware that a number of members would not be in favour of excluding Israel. That's not the point. It needs to be raised in my view as a point of discussion."
"I have had a number of discussions over the last couple of years about it but another conversation was needed given the level of public concern."
Collection
[
|
...
]