AUTHOR: M.J.
The Belgian television VRT interrupted the broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest to condemn Israel's violation of human rights and media freedom and called for a ceasefire in Gaza, reports Anadolu Agency.
VRT, which broadcasts in Flemish, stopped broadcasting the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest last night in Malmö, Sweden, in protest of the anti-Israeli attacks in Gaza.
- This is a union action. We condemn the violation of human rights in the Israeli state. In addition, Israel destroys media freedom. Therefore, we are taking a temporary break in our broadcast. Cease fire, now - it says.
Two Belgian ministers previously said that Israel should not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest as long as attacks on civilians in Gaza continue.
Artists representing Belgium, Portugal, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Finland and San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest have called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
Various sectors from many European countries have demanded that Israel be banned from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Malmö on May 11.