'RTE'S EURO NO-SHOW IS AN ACT OF SOLIDARITY'

TAOISEACH Micheal Martin said boycotting Eurovision over Israel's participation is an act of solidarity.

- BY BAIRBRE HOLMES

Ireland was joined by Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands in response to Tel Aviv's onslaught in Gaza which has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead.

Speaking at a meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff, Mr Martin added: "I fully understand the decision of RTE as a broadcaster because there are two groups of people, among many, who acted extremely brave during the war in Gaza - the medical community and journalists.