Arts Minister tells US SXSW festival she feels 'revulsion' at Gaza devastation

Soda Blonde, Sprints and Kneecap have withdrawn from the SXSW Festival in Texas.

Arts Minister Catherine Martin has told a music festival in the US that she feels "revulsion" at the devastation in Gaza.

Ms Martin had been urged to boycott her speaking engagement at a panel at the South By Southwest festival about Ireland's universal basic income scheme for artists. A total of 12 Irish acts had withdrawn from the festival due to its ties with defense contractors and the US Army, who many artists felt were supporting the ongoing bombardment of Gaza by Israel.

Those to withdraw included Cork musician Mick Flannery, as well as Gavin James, Northern Irish rappers Kneecap, and Soda Blonde.

In her opening remarks, Ms Martin said that she had spoken to some of the artists and, while she respected their decision, she was in a position to speak directly to the US and that she was "taking a stand for the concerns of the Irish people, as well as our artists, by advocating...for an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid, food and medicine to the people of Gaza".

Ms Martin said that politicians stepping away from engagements such as these was "not an option".

Arts Minister Catherine Martin has told a music festival in the US that she feels "revulsion" at the devastation in Gaza.

"Like so many people in Ireland, I have felt nothing but revulsion and anger at seeing the killing, bombing and maiming inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza in recent months. It has to stop. Last night, I delivered that message at the St Patrick’s Day reception here in Ireland House.

"We extend our hand to all Americans to join us in the pursuit of peace. The time for action is now, and Ireland remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing an end to this humanitarian crisis."

The comments come after Ms Martin told a St Patrick’s Day reception at the Austin consulate on Tuesday night “the slaughter and maiming of innocent people under any flag, under any name for any cause is wrong”.

The withdrawal of over 80 acts, including the Irish contingent, had drawn the ire of Texas governor Greg Abbott who tweeted: "Bands pull out of SXSW over US Army sponsorship. "Bye. Don’t come back."

The festival's official account said that it did not agree with the Republican governor, posting: "We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech."

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Kneecap's Mo Chara said the withdrawal "sent a clear message."

He explained: "We just made the decision because it's good to be on the right side of history, you know, as Irish people.

"And I was very, very proud to see how a lot of bands followed suit. Straight off, it sends a very clear message, that the Irish people will always be in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”