Ireland 2019: Charlie McGettigan, winner in 1994, asks RTE to boycott the next contest
Every year after the contest there are reactions to the winner. This year, of course, could not be the exception to this rule. The bloody events that took place in the Gaza Strip, right after Netta’s victory, on Saturday’s final, make many talk about a boycott to the next contest, which will be held in Israel.
Charlie Mc Gettigan, who won in 1994 with Paul Harrington and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” , in yestreday’s statements, asked Ireland’s public broadcaster (RTE) to abstain from the next Eurovision Song Contest , if it is carried out in Israel.
“It is an opportunity for whole Europe that takes part in the Eurovision competition, to make a statement saying that we look at you do not agree with all this, celebrating when other people are killed. There should be an excuse for boycotting the Eurovision conetst and conducting it in another country, if that is not the case then we should not take part.”
These voices on Ireland’s abstention from the contest, if done in Israel, are adding to what the Dublin Mayor has said, calling RTE in a protest for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip and Palestine.
In Iceland, many artists have already indicated their intention not to take part in Söngvakeppnin, Eurovision’s national final, if the next competition is held in Israel. They have even gathered a fairly large number of signatures (about 20,000) to support this purpose.
For the time being, there has been no official reaction from EBU and any official announcements will be made after Israel’s visit to Israel in the coming days.
