At the start of the broadcast of the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, the image was briefly interrupted by a trade union action. “We condemn the violations of human rights by the State of Israel,” it read. “We were informed that it would happen,” VRT said in a response to HLN.
Yorick Dupon, Silke Denissen
09-05-24, 21:09
Latest update:
21:53
Source:
own reporting, Belga
The VRT union also supports journalists in the war zone: “In addition, the state of Israel is destroying press freedom. That’s why we pause the image for a moment.” Finally, the union calls for a ceasefire and “stop genocide”.
The socialist trade union ACOD-VRT defends the action. “We have been watching the events in the Middle East with horror for months now. We are convinced that the State of Israel is carrying out a genocide and that is why it is scandalous that there is an Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.”
“Doing nothing, just watching, is no longer an option.” ACOD-VRT points the finger at the umbrella organization of public broadcasters that organizes the Eurovision Song Contest. “Unfortunately, EBU made the Israeli entry possible and that is why we have decided to interrupt the broadcast. We hope to send a signal to the Israeli government to stop the fighting and killings, allow international observers and the press in and sit down for a negotiated solution.”
VRT management informed
“It is indeed a trade union action,” VRT spokesperson Yasmine Van der Borght told our editors. “We were informed that it was going to happen. Trade unions have the right to take action and do not need permission to do so. I can only say that we have taken note of the action.”
Before the start of the broadcast, there was a small-scale protest at the buildings of the VRT and the French-language broadcaster RTBF. About 70 activists criticized the broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest because Israel is allowed to participate.
“We live in a free country and so everyone is free to protest,” responds N-VA MP Michael Freilich. “It is their choice that the unions disrupt a TV broadcast for millions of viewers. Anyone who claims to want to tackle injustice, but does not say a word about the terrorist acts of Hamas and the more than 100 hostages, undermines their own credibility. That is a missed opportunity,” he tells HLN.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
Tags: Trade union VRT briefly interrupts broadcast Eurovision Song Contest semifinal call ceasefire Israel Eurovision songfestival
