Irish artists urge Eurovision entrant boycott over Israel

Dublin: Hundreds of Irish artists urged Ireland s Eurovision entrant Monday to be on the right side of history by boycotting the song contest over I...

Dublin: Hundreds of Irish artists urged Ireland's Eurovision entrant Monday to be on the "right side of history" by boycotting the song contest over Israel's participation in the event in Sweden next month.

"We are asking you to withdraw from Eurovision 2024, to heed the call from Palestinians to boycott the competition due to the participation of Israel," said a letter signed by more than 400 Irish artists.

"By participating in Eurovision you will be standing with the oppressor," it said.

The letter pointed to Irish artists and musicians like Irish-language rap group Kneecap, who pulled out of the SXSW Music Festival in the United States last month in protest over the US military's sponsorship of the event.

"You have the chance to be on the right side of history and to be remembered as an artist of conscience, who, in a time of genocide, chose to do no harm, to truly stand with the oppressed," the letter said.