Music
29 Mar 24

"Stepping back now would mean one less pro-Palestinian voice at the contest" - Bambie Thug releases statement on Eurovision 2024

Bambie Thug at the Eurovision press day in RTE. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The Irish musician, along with numerous fellow Eurovision contestants, have confirmed that they will be competing in this year's competition in Stockholm, despite calls for a boycott.

Irish Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug has today released a statement regarding their participation in the upcoming song contest.

In the statement, the artist acknowledged the campaign to boycott the 2024 Eurovision song contest amid ongoing controversy regarding Israel's participation.

In a joint statement, released today by Eurovision contestants from the UK, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, San Marino, Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania and Finland, the artists said that they were going ahead and participating in the 2024 contest:

"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."

The statement was signed off by UK representative Olly Alexander, Gåte from Norway, iolanda of Portugal, San Marino's representative Megara, Switzerland's Nemo, SABA of Denmark, Lithuania's Silvester Belt, Windows95man of Finland and Ireland's representative, Bambie Thug.

However, Bambie Thug added their own additional statement saying that: "As an Irish person with a shared history of occupation and a queer individual, I cannot and will not remain silent."

They continued: "I am aware of the calls to withdraw, but stepping back now would mean one less pro-Palestinian voice at the contest."

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The artists concluded saying: "My heart and solidarity has and always will lie with the oppressed, and I remain committed to supporting and using my platform to raise awareness and advocate for change".

Babie Thug, who won their place as representative of Ireland at the Late Late Show Eurosong special in January 2024 has previously called for Israel's exclusion from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest saying: "When Russia invaded Ukraine they were removed from the competition and I think Israel should be removed. It's the same rules for everyone."