Ireland are through to the Eurovision final for the first time in six years, after Bambie Thug was one of ten artists to progress from Tuesday's semi-final.
Thug's song 'Doomsday Blue' went down a treat with the audience in Malmo, though they took to the stage amid a backdrop of controversy and discontent surrounding their participation in the event.
The organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have come under fire for allowing Israel to continue their participation in the contest amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Many long-time Eurovision viewers are boycotting this year's contest in protest against Israel's participation, as well as against the EBU's policy preventing attendees from displaying Palestinian flags or symbols.
After progressing to the final, Bambie Thug revealed that their much-discussed gesture of solidarity with Palestine had been pulled at the last minute by EBU.
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Ireland at Eurovision: Bambie Thug claims EBU asked them to change Ogham message
Bambie Thug and the Irish delegation's decision not to boycott this year's Eurovision Song Contest has met criticism online and among sections of the Irish public, though the singer had planned a subtle show of solidarity with the Palestinian plight.
The 31-year-old Cork native had planned to have the phrases 'Ceasefire' and 'Saoirse don Phailaistín' written on their face in the ancient Celtic language of Ogham for the performance.
Bambie Thug displays the word “ceasefire” written in ogham for their #Eurovision2024 perfirmance pic.twitter.com/sNDKIMAl1X
— Markie 🇮🇪 (@MarkAgitprop) May 7, 2024
However, after their progression to the final on Tuesday, Bambie Thug revealed that they had been ordered by the EBU to change the text of the Ogham writing ahead of the semi-final.
Bambie Thug on her “Ceasefire, freedom for Palestine“ writings on her body:
„“We have to change it due to the EBU order“#Eurovision #Eurovision2024 #ESC2024 pic.twitter.com/SzLaiZkvSm— Kerem | 🇮🇪🇺🇦🇳🇴🇭🇷🇳🇱 (@Krm_H67) May 7, 2024
When asked why they had chosen to have the phrases in support of Palestine written on their face, Bambie Thug said, 'It was very important for me, because I am pro-justice and pro-peace. Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to 'Crown the Witch' only, in [an] order from the EBU.'
'Crown the Witch' has been a slogan of Bambie Thug's performance since they were chosen to represent Ireland in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, and adorned the screens of the Malmo arena during their rendition of 'Doomsday Blue' on Tuesday.
Another performer had earlier managed to make a public gesture in support of Palestine without EBU interference. The organisers have said that they "regret" that Eric Saade displayed the pro-Palestinian keffiyeh symbol on his arm as he performed his 2011 song Popular.
Bambie Thug enters Saturday's final as one of the frontrunners with the bookies'. RTÉ commentator Marty Whelan was ecstatic as he called their progression to the final, saying, 'At last! Ah yes, that's fantastic.'
So well deserved. Well done Bambie Thug. Can’t wait for Saturday’s final 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/mk9i6NTGQQ
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) May 7, 2024
Ireland's representative was one of several performers who signed an open letter in March calling for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel will take to the stage on Thursday with their performance of 'Hurricane,' after controversy over an initially proposed entry called 'October Rain' in an apparent reference to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
