Cork City Council calls for Eurovision boycott

CORK City Council has called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest

Solidarity-People Before Profit councillor Brian McCarthy raised the issue of Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest at Monday’s Cork City Council meeting.

“In light of the fact that the Israeli state uses any opportunity,” Mr McCarthy explained, “including cultural events to generate good PR on the international stage, this motion asks that this council adds its voice to the numerous organisations… that are calling on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest.”

He highlighted that in 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EBU excluded Russia from participating, so should follow the same protocol and exclude Israel in light of the rising death toll in Gaza.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran suggested an amendment to the motion in which the EBU would be asked to exclude Israel but Cork City Council could support Bambie Thug, Ireland’s Eurovision hopeful from Cork, rather than asking them and other participants not to compete.

Mr Moran pointed to a joint statement made earlier this month by Bambie Thug and other acts, which said they stand in solidarity with the oppressed but believe in the unifying power of music, and, “feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy”.

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent said that this “contradicted” Mr McCarthy’s proposal, and the amendment was voted down.

Despite objections by Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon that politics should not be brought into sport and music, asking “where does it end?”, the original proposal was then passed, with 12 in favour, nine against, and one abstention.