Dublin radio station to hold Gaza fundraiser event in competition with Eurovision broadcast
A Dublin-based national radio station is set to hold a fundraising event for Palestine on the same night as the Eurovision Song Contest. This decision comes amidst widespread international calls for a boycott of the competition due to Israel’s involvement.
Dublin Digital Radio (ddr) is gearing up to host a fantastic fundraising event called ‘Dabke’ on May 11, coinciding with the Eurovision finale.
For all the music enthusiasts out there looking for something different than Eurovision, this event is the perfect alternative. Get ready for a unique blend of music from Palestinian and Arab artists, accompanied by captivating poetry and spoken word performances. The lineup features Palestinian-Jordanian beatboxer Abood Aladham, Dublin poet Myrna al Tarjuri, and the talented Queer Palestinian Thespian, Amir Abualarob. This promises to be a night to remember!
“With ‘Dabke’, Dublin Digital Radio aims to harness the power of music and art to raise awareness and support for Palestinians in Gaza while offering a platform for solidarity and activism within the local community,” the radio said in a statement shared on its Instagram account.
Funds raised will go to support Palestinians in Gaza, particularly those seeking to evacuate the besieged enclave amid Israel’s relentless offensive which has killed over 34,500 people – 70 percent of whom were women and children.
It comes amid numerous calls for boycotting the Eurovision this year, including by the LGBTQ+ community such as QPEN in the US, Queers in Palestine in Palestine, Pride in Protest in Australia, and Dyke March Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
“Israeli soldiers wave rainbow flags atop the ruins of Palestinian homes destroyed by the Israeli military in Gaza – a cynical attempt to rebrand Israel’s genocide as an act of queer liberation,” the boycott organisers said in a press release statement.
Eurovision organiser European Broadcasting Union (EBU) so far resisting calls from artists and activists to expel Israel from Europe’s 7 to 11 May annual song competition.
Eurovision, to take place this year in the Swedish city of Malmo, bills itself as a non-political event, however, it excluded Russia from the competition in 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine.
