Eurovision’s Bambie Thug was left in tears after learning that Israel had secured a spot in the grand finale.
Eden Golan, representing Israel, made it through with her song Hurricane, despite pro-Palestinian protests against the country’s participation. Bambie, who identifies as they/them, donned a keffiyeh – often associated with pro-Palestinian sentiments – and held Irish flags while speaking to the press at the Malmo Arena in Sweden.
When asked about their reaction to Golan’s qualification, the singer, who is the first Irish entry to reach the final since 2018, confessed: “I cried with my team.” On the topic of Israel’s participation, they commented: “It is a complete overshadow of everything, goes against everything that Eurovision is meant to be.
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“It’s a big, big community together and their contestant was never allowed to even meet us. God forbid we have some conversation where minds might be changed.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s definitely putting a cloud above it for everyone.”
The singer also expressed concerns that Ireland could lose votes due to the ongoing boycott of Eurovision. Earlier in March, Bambie released a statement, endorsed by several Eurovision contestants, explaining their decision to stay in the competition.
They expressed their concerns, stating: “I am fearful that we will miss a lot of votes because of the boycotting and that those then will make someone else maybe more with the chance to win. But there are 200million viewers and I think that, regardless, our performance stands out and it’s undeniable how theatrical … a moment that is.”
(Image: Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)
Ahead of Golan’s anticipated performance on Thursday, Malmo’s main square was swarming with police officers in preparation for potential protests. Bambie is set to take the stage at the grand finale on Saturday, performing their gothic hit, Doomsday Blue.
Irish premier Simon Harris voiced his support, saying the “whole country will be rooting” for the singer when the contest kicks off. The EBU and representatives for Golan have been contacted for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
