It would be "unconscionable" for Ireland to take part in Eurovision if Israel is included, according to RTÉ.
The national broadcaster will not screen the 70th annual edition of the song contest if Israel is allowed to participate, citing the ongoing loss of life in Gaza and the targeting of journalists as key concerns.
Ireland will also not send a representative to compete unless Israel is removed.
However, coverage of sporting events involving Israel will not be affected.
Founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland Oliver Sears said this is a "deeply flawed strategy”.
“It strikes a deeply visceral note for me because of my background,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“When I think about the boycott of culture, it never achieves its aims.
“All cultural boycott does is raise tension and hatred against the target of the boycott.
“Never in history has cultural boycott, or academic boycott for that matter, achieved that aim.”
Mr Sears said it is economic boycotts that are effective in situations like this.
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Mr Sears also said that he agrees that the current situation in Gaza is unconscionable and emphasised that he has been “opposed to the Netanyahu regime before he even came to power”.
“First of all, we’re talking about the Eurovision Song Contest,” he said.
“It’s the most pathetic sideshow given the severity of the situation.”
Coverage
According to Mr Sears, there has not been adequate coverage of Israeli and Jewish perspectives in Irish media.
“We know that [what’s happening in Gaza] isn’t proportionate, but that does not give an excuse for reporting that does not actually talk about the protests in Israel, the protests in the diaspora,” he said.
“Frankly, it feels that Ireland is a place of dread for Jews – and I’m not being paranoid or hysterical.
“We want this to stop too; there’s no question of supporting this government in any way.”
A demonstrator holds a sign that reads, "Stop the War" during an anti-government protest on March 2, 2025 in Jerusalem. Image: Eddie Gerald.To date, Israel has killed over 64,000 people in Gaza in response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas in 2023, in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 abducted.
48 hostages are yet to be recovered from Gaza, though the IDF has estimated that at least 25 are dead.
According to the United Nations, 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israel.
A UN special committee and multiple human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians during its ongoing blockade, invasion, and bombing of the Gaza Strip.
Main image: Fans in the audience during the final rehearsal for the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest. Image: ANP. 15 May 2025
