DUBLIN, Ireland — Irish writer Graham Linehan has accused Ireland’s public broadcaster RTE of antisemitism for airing his “Father Ted” comedy instead of the Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel.
As the Eurovision semifinals kicked off in Vienna on Tuesday, Ireland has been one of several countries involved in the biggest-ever political boycott of the song contest over Israel’s participation.
“I did not give my permission for Father Ted to be used as a prop in an antisemitic political gesture,” Linehan said in a social media post.
“I object to it in the strongest possible terms,” he added.
Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip prompted Ireland and four other countries — Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland — to withdraw from the glitzy annual extravaganza.
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RTE said in December that it “feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”
Noam Bettan from Israel walks on the Turquoise Carpet during the official start of the Eurovision Song Contest week at the town hall in Vienna, Austria, May 10, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
Like Ireland, Spain and Slovenia are refusing to broadcast this week’s contest.
During Saturday’s final, the Irish broadcaster will show a Eurovision-related episode of the popular 1990s Father Ted sitcom about hapless Irish priests that Linehan co-wrote.
Linehan said RTE’s boycott “is not a principled humanitarian stand.”
“It is antisemitism — the oldest hatred — dressed up in the language of human rights,” he added.
“Ireland is better than this. RTE must be held accountable,” he added, calling for the resignation of the broadcaster’s director.
RTE did not respond to a request for comment by AFP.
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