Call for a Eurovision boycott distracts from the wonderful achievements of Bambie Thug
Bambie Thug will represent Ireland in Malmö, Sweden, at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Picture: Andres Poveda
Thirty years ago today, I presented the Eurovision with Gerry Ryan at what was then known as the Point Theatre in Dublin.
Riverdance stole the show on that beautiful spring evening.
Albert Reynolds whooped and danced next to President Mary Robinson as people cheered and celebrated in a way that we had not done since Italia '90.
That is the power of art. The power to take us somewhere else. The power to make us feel excited, confident, and euphoric.
It felt as if Ireland was waking up.
The IRA had just announced a temporary ceasefire and Ireland was daring to dream of a future without violence, as part of a wider European family of countries.
In the days before the show, Gerry and I met with the artists, their families, their friends, and began to understand how big an occasion this was for them and their careers.
The biggest show in town.
That is why I was so disappointed last week to hear that 400 Irish artists have signed a letter demanding Bambie Thug boycott Eurovision, saying that "by participating in Eurovision you will be standing with the oppressor”.
They formed an angry mob to bully a young contestant on the eve of one of the biggest shows of their life.
The artists are rightly disgusted at what is happening in Gaza. We all are, but why lay the blame at the feet of a fellow artist on the eve of such an important show?
All this call for a boycott will do is distract from the wonderful achievements of an artist, Bambie Thug, who is just trying to make music, art, and represent the country at an EU level.
By attempting to silence Bambie Thug, those who signed this petition are taking a leaf from the oppressive tactics that Israel is employing in Gaza and I would call on them to just leave Bambie Thug to prepare in peace.
Artists have soft power and influence but with that power comes responsibility.
The power to stand up and speak out against oppression is something that every individual artist has.
In my mind, you cannot overcome oppression with more oppression.
Art must be above politics and we cannot allow an angry mob to decide what freedoms of expression we are allowed to have.
If we tolerate this, where do we stop?
What is next?
Do we boycott art galleries where the owners are Israeli?
Do we boycott a cafe because the owner has an Israeli cousin?
When you accept mob rule, then you accept that mobs are uncontrollable.
Legitimate criticism should be focused on the Israeli government and the army, not on individual Israelis because of their race, rather than what they have said or done.
That is racism whatever way you cut it. Many artists that have been boycotted in the past were against the very government actions that led to the boycott in the first place.
Promoting the idea that Jews everywhere, and all Israelis are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government undermines those who may be opposed to the actions of their respective governments.
By silencing those artists, you are taking away that voice of opposition, both inside their own country and on the global stage.
Let us be clear that what Israel is doing in Gaza is wrong.
We are moving towards the recognition of a Palestinian state in Ireland, which is a positive step.
The only thing that will bring about a ceasefire is political pressure, listening, and dialogue — not cultural boycotts.
The Irish people should know that more than most.
- Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is a former RTÉ presenter and a Fianna Fáil European election candidate
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