Creator Graham Linehan Calls Ireland’s Use of Father Ted in Eurovision Boycott over Israel ‘Antisemitic’

Irish writer and Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan accused Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ of engaging in antisemitism for planning to air an episode of his hit comedy show as part of its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s presence in the competition.

Linehan raised his protest during an interview with the Irish radio station Newstalk this week. He condemned RTÉ’s decision “in the strongest possible terms” and described it as “an antisemitic political gesture.” He also called for the resignation of RTÉ’s Director General, Kevin Bakhurst.

“For some reason, Irish people are absolutely insane at the moment with antisemitism,” Linehan told the radio station. “I think that the current fad in Ireland for antisemitism is a global embarrassment.”

“I was astonished when I first heard that RTÉ, of all channels, had taken the decision upon themselves to withdraw Ireland from the competition,” he added. “And the idea that Father