Johnny Logan, celebrated for securing three Eurovision titles, has voiced his opinion that the Jewish state should be precluded from the song contest, RTÉ reported. During an appearance on the Irish TV outlet RTÉ program This Week, the Irish musician mentioned he was "proud" regarding the broadcaster's choice to abstain from the upcoming event.
"I really feel that in this case, RTÉ definitely made the right decision," Logan told RTÉ. He elaborated on his stance regarding the optics of participation. "I don't think that Israel should be allowed to hide under the umbrella of the Eurovision... make it look as though, everything's okay, business as usual, because it's not."
"I think most people in Ireland would agree with that," the singer surmised, according to the report. Logan expressed satisfaction that the withdrawal was formalized before any specific artist or song had been selected, RTÉ noted.
Addressing the nature of the event, he argued that politics are unavoidable in certain contexts, citing the exclusion of Russia due to the war in Ukraine. "When you have someone like Donald Trump describe Gaza as real estate, it's appalling," he remarked to RTÉ.
"There has to be a point where a voice is heard. It's not okay," Logan stated. He drew a direct comparison to past EBU actions. "They did it with Russia in the Eurovision... they say that the Eurovision is nonpolitical but the reality of it is when it is necessary it becomes political."
"The Eurovision has been really good to me, but I do feel very strongly about it," he admitted. According to RTÉ, Logan criticized the European Broadcasting Union for allowing Israel to take part this season.
"I think that the EBU should have made a decision regarding Israel, a decision removing them from the show and taking that decision away from individual countries," he argued. Despite the lack of a central ban, he praised the national response. "But being as it is. I really think that what Ireland, what RTÉ, have done is exactly the right thing to do."
"I support them 100%," he confirmed to RTÉ. The artist reiterated his belief that Israel must be "removed" from the roster this year. He emphasized that his grievance lies with the administration rather than the populace.
"And it's not about the Israeli people, it's about the people in charge of Israel, the governments that have been making these decisions," Logan explained. While noting that the contest itself is a relatively small matter, he warned that inclusion "adds a kind of respectability to the way they've behaved" , according to the report.
Logan concluded by suggesting that international networks should join the movement to boycott this year's Eurovision, RTÉ reported.
