‘If I wasn't in the competition, I would’ – Bambie Thug stands by decision not to boycott Eurovision

There have been calls for countries to boycott the Eurovision, which is taking place in May in Malmo, Sweden, over organisers’ refusal to exclude Israel over its conduct in the war in Gaza.

But speaking to Patrick Kielty on last night’s Late Late Show, the Cork singer said: "I stand with anyone doing the boycott. I think if I wasn't in the competition, I would also be boycotting. There are a lot of moving parts.

"At the end of the day, without the group of us who is pro-Palestine, it is less competition for the other side to win and it's less of solidarity there. Obviously it's incredibly heavy and I am extremely behind everybody."

Bambie also expressed disappointment that organisers of the Eurovision are letting Israel take part despite outrage about the country’s actions in Gaza.

Russia had been banned from the competition following their invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"We all meet up and had chats about it and we just couldn't stay silent on the matter," Bambie said.

"At the end of the day, it's the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) who has to make the decision, and, unfortunately in my eyes, they're not making the right decision. So yeah, it's bittersweet, the whole thing."

The self-declared ‘Ouija-pop’ star, who will represent Ireland next month, performed a stripped-back piano version of their song Doomsday Blue on the show which prompted a chorus of online applause from fans.

Taking to X, one user declared: “Very, very best O’ luck in Malmo @Bambiethug that version of Doomsday Blue on the #latelate show was absolutely sublime.”

Another added: “I think @Bambiethug could be a huge star after the Eurovision, that voice is incredible #latelate.”

“Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. No drama – yet all the drama #BambiThug #latelate,” another wrote.

Last month, Bambie released a joint statement alongside UK hopeful Olly Alexander and the Danish entrant Saba – setting out why they will remain in the competition.

It said: “We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision.

“In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent.

“It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages. We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections.

“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 also signed by Norway’s Gate, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s band Megara, Switzerland’s Nemo, Lithuanian singer Silvester Belt and Finland’s Windows95Man/Teemu Keisteri.

The statement added that they stand against “all forms of hate” including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

In response, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) said in a statement that they “welcome the refusal of nine Eurovision contestant to remain silent” but said they would be complicit in “art washing Israel’s crimes”.

In March, the group called on broadcasters, competitors, crew members and viewers to boycott Eurovision 2024 due to “Israel’s genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza”.

It released that statement earlier that month following what they said was the refusal of the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to “ban genocidal Israel”.

PACBI and the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate had called on Eurovision organisers to ban Israel “just as Russia was banned for its illegal invasion of Ukraine – or face widespread boycotts”.

PACBI said in its statement that contestants who take part would be “complicit in art washing” Israel’s crimes.

“Feigning symbolic gestures of support while dismissing the call of the oppressed reflects a patronising and colonial attitude on part of the contestants that is familiar to Palestinians and many oppressed communities globally,” they said.

The group said Israel is “defying the world court and the UN security council”.

“This means everyone has a responsibility to end complicity in supporting or covering up its crimes.

“We call on all Eurovision contestants to withdraw from the contest, as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and to fulfil this moral responsibility to do no harm,” they added.