Bambie Thug 'logs off' social media following criticism of refusal to boycott Eurovision

Ireland’s Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug has announced that they are “logging off” social media after being bombarded with messages calling for them to boycott the competition over Israel’s participation.

More than 400 Irish artists signed a letter calling for the non-binary performer to “heed the call from Palestinians” to boycott this year’s Eurovision, which is set to take place in Malmo, Sweden next month.

Bambie Thug has previously described themselves as “clearly pro-Palestine” and said they attend marches for the cause, as well as posting about it on social media.

The singer also said on the Late Late Show last week that they would probably boycott the Eurovision over Israel’s presence at the competition – if they weren’t competing in Malmo themselves.

READ MORE: Bambie Thug addresses decision not to boycott Eurovision over Israel participation

“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,” Bambie Thug told host Patrick Kielty.

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

Their position attracted considerable criticism on X (formerly Twitter), where the Irish Eurovision entrant was urged to drop out of the contest in an expression of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

One person on the social media platform summarised Bambie Thug’s position as “If I wasn't in the competition, I'd also be boycotting,” and added: “When boosting your career is more important than taking a stand against genocide. Appalling.”

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign social media account said: “You can’t stand with Palestinians and refuse to listen to them. That’s not how it works, Bambie Thug.

“The call for solidarity is to #BoycottEurovision2024, nothing else will do.”

Another critic wrote: “Palestinian civil society has asked you to withdraw from Eurovision… not for you to win the competition on their behalf. Don’t normalise cultural participation with ‘the other side’. Refuse to share a stage with genocide.”

One social media user simply said: “Grow a backbone ffs.”

Yesterday, Bambie Thug announced on X that they were “logging off this cesspit for a while”.

They added: “Remember to look after your mental health. Happy healing trolls x.”

The letter calling for the Eurovision entrant to boycott the contest was signed by the likes of Erica Cody, Frances Black, Gemma Doherty and Emma Langford.

They wrote that Bambie Thug’s “heart has and always will be with the oppressed” but by performing in Malmo, they will be “standing with the oppressor”.

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