"Well we will cross that bridge when we get to it" was the response of Dublin R&B singer Erica-Cody when asked if she would attend Malmö in the event of her winning tonight's Late Late Eurosong Special.

The singer -songwriter continued saying: "I think that knows me and knows me morally over the last couple of years knows that being an activist I would never step into something like this with an ignorant head on my shoulders."

A response which was somewhat surprising to journalists at the RTÉ Eurosong rehearsals event, Erica-Cody further nailed her colours to the mast today when she shared a post on X, which included a petition to remove Israel from this year's Eurovision event in light of the country's incessant bombing of civilians in Gaza, which many have described as genocide.

https://t.co/parYIozCWD https://t.co/Hqli3DDZfE

— Erica-Cody (@EricaCody) January 26, 2024

The petition, which is titled 'Irish Artists demand the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024' cites the decision o0f the song contest to exclude Russia from the 2022 competition as precedent for the exclusion of Israel from this year' competition.

It also further states that Irish should join forces with artists from Finland and Iceland to demand the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024. Finnish Artists gathered over 1,400 signatures in a petition to the countries' national broadcaster Ylé.

The petition shared by Erica-Cody was organised by Irish Artists For Palestine and has received almost 15,000 signatures in the last 3 days alone.

Speaking at the Late Late Show Eurosong press event yesterday the musician said: "I don’t stand behind genocide. I think it’s an absolute disgrace. Eurovision is meant to be a celebration of life and music and acceptance and love."

"I think it's devastating what's going on- I have found it really distressing to watch and I have been very vocal about it. I think we need to see the same energy that was given to Russia when they invaded to Ukraine."

Cody wasn't the only contestant calling for the exclusion of Israel from this year's Eurovision song contest with Cork's Bambie Thug drawing the same parallel: "When Russia invaded Ukraine they were removed from the competition and I think Israel should be removed. It's the same rules for everyone."

Erica-Cody's girl power self love anthem 'Love Me Like I Do' was written at an Irish Women in Harmony writing camp and is the current favourite to win the Song for Ireland competition to represent the country at the 2024 iteration of the song contest.