The Cork singer and Ireland’s entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest Bambie Thug has been told to boycott the event in protest over Israel’s participation.

Last month, they released a collective statement with eight other Eurovision entrants, such as U.K.’s Olly Alexander, where they expressed their support for Palestine while adding: “We firmly believe in the unifying power of music. We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”

Meanwhile, Cork city councillors are calling for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel from taking part in the Eurovision contest. Sinn Féin’s leader on the council, Mick Nugent, said that it is not too late for Bambie Thug to reconsider their stance.

 

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During the debate on the motion tabled by Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy, he said: “They are saying they have a pro-Palestinian position. That’s fine. But they need to have the courage of their convictions and not go to it.

“I think in the years ahead, we will be asking, everyone will be asking, what did you do in this period of time while we are watching genocide live on TV.”

He also expressed that the Israeli state uses cultural events like the Eurovision to generate good PR on the world stage, and that Russia had been banned from the context in 2022, questioning why the EBU refused to do the same for Israel.

The event will take place at the Malmo Arena on May 7, 9 and 11 with 31 countries competing in two semi-finals, before 15 successful acts take to the stage in Sweden for the grand final.