The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place tonight in Malmö, Sweden, as the event continues to be plunged into further chaos amid controversy over Israel’s participation.
Hours before the grand final, it was announced that the Netherlands’ delegate, Joost Klein, has been expelled from the competition following a complaint made by a female member of the production crew.
Shortly after, Ireland’s Bambie Thug said they had raised a “situation”, which they had “felt needed urgent attention from the EBU” and that they had been in discussions with organisers, consequently missing their final dress rehearsal.
Ahead of the second semi-final on 9 May, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in Malmö, Sweden, where this year’s contest is being held, to protest against Israel’s participation.
Further protests are expected to take place after Israel qualified as one of the 26 countries competing in this year’s final.
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Eurovision: Bambie Thug ‘cried with team’ after finding out Israel had made final
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 19:31
Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest entry Bambie Thug has accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break, after the singer missed their final rehearsals.
The singer, who uses the pronouns they/them, has previously hit out at Israel’s representative, Eden Golan, competing in the contest, and been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views before becoming the first Irish qualifier since 2018.
Bambie will compete in the final on Saturday.
In an Instagram story, they said: “I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) regarding instances I have experienced this week.
“Earlier today they confirmed to my delegation in front of others that Kan’s commentator had broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final.
“I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break. I have since seen a statement by EBU director general Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.
“I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU. I hope to see you on the stage tonight.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Israeli broadcaster Kan told the PA news agency: “We wish everyone the best of luck tonight.”
The organisers of Eurovision said: “Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.
“They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.
“We hope that this will be resolved shortly and Bambie Thug will appear in the Grand Final show as planned.”
Irish broadcaster RTE has reported that the singer called on organisers to address commentary made on Israeli television before their performance in Tuesday’s semi-final.
They told the broadcaster: “I’m angry with other teams breaching their rules of the EBU, and still being allowed in.
“So there’s definitely a war drum sounding in my heart to push the performance even more than I have done before.”
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 19:24
Does everyone really hate the UK at Eurovision? Here are the surprising stats
The last time the UK won Eurovision was in 1997…
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 19:16
Dutch broadcaster calls Joost disqualification by Eurovision organisers ‘disproportionate’
The Netherlands entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, Joost Klein, was disqualified following a “threatening movement” from the singer towards a camerawoman, a Dutch radio and television broadcaster said.
A statement from the Netherlands’ Songfestival, which sends acts to the Eurovision Song Contest, on X added that AVROTROS, the Dutch radio and television broadcaster, found the “penalty very heavy and disproportionate” and said it was “very disappointed”.
On X, formerly Twitter, the statement said: “An incident occurred after last Thursday’s performance. Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the green room.
“At that moment, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be filmed. This wasn’t respected.
“This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman. This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and police”.
The statement said they had “consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions”, but that “nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein”.
It added that AVROTROS “finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate”, saying they “stand for good manners – let there be no misunderstanding about that – but in our view, an exclusion order is not proportional to this incident”.
The statement ended saying: “We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn’t have ended this way.”
Klein, 26, entered with the song Europapa, which is a tribute to his late parents.
He was disqualified from Saturday night’s grand final following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The EBU said police were investigating a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s semi-final.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest,” it said in a statement.
“We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest.
“In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules.”
A follow-up statement said Dutch viewers would still be allowed to vote in the grand final and added that the Dutch jury result is still valid.
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 19:00
Eurovision fans demand that EBU investigates Israel delegation after Joost is disqualified
Quite a lot of scrutiny from Dutch fans is being aimed at Keren Peles, the composer and songwriter behind Israel’s song “Hurricane”.
One clip shared to her Instagram Stories shows her seemingly pretending to film her colleagues while zooming in on Joost in the background – this apparently before the incident that got him disqualified.
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:57
Why is Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest final?
Eden Golan is representing Israel with the track “Hurricane”, which was reworked from original entry “October Rain” after it was alleged to include references to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, therefore breaching the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) rules over political songs.
The Israel-born Golan, who grew up in Russia, told ITV News this week that she could not have asked “for a better year to be representing my country”.
Protests over Israel’s participation are underway in Malmö, Sweden, which is hosting this year’s contest following Swedish contestant Loreen’s win with “Tattoo” in 2023.
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:31
Eurovision 2024 final subject of more chaos as French contestant calls for peace and Norway’s jury announcer resigns
The Eurovision Song Contest has been plunged into further chaos after France’s delegate Slimane called for peace, while a Norwegian jury spokesperson resigned as she appeared to call out the organisers for hypocrisy.
On Saturday (11 May) during the dress rehearsals at the Malmo Arena in Sweden, French contestant Slimane stopped singing “Mon Amour” to call for peace amid the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
There have been multiple calls to boycott the competition over Israel’s participation with singer Eden Golan, who is due to perform her song Hurricane on Saturday evening, as large protests take place in the city centre.
Slimane told the audience: “Everybody, I just need to say something. Sorry I don’t speak English very well but when I was a child I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream, to be a singer and to sing peace here.
“Every artist here wants to sing about love and sing about peace. We need to be united by music yes, but with love for peace. United by music yes, but with love for peace. Thank you so much, thank you Europe.”
Palestinian flags – which had been banned by the organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – were also seen in the audience.
Ahead of the grand final, Alessandra Mele posted to Instagram to say that she will no longer be the person who announces the points awarded by Norway during Eurovision.
In a video the former Eurovision contestant said: “Even though I’m thankful that I was given the opportunity to do so, I’ve taken the decision to withdraw. United by music – Eurovision’s motto is the reason why the music unites people, brings them together.
“But right now, those words are just empty words. There is a genocide going on and I’m asking you all to please open up your eyes, open up your heart, let love lead you to the truth.
“It’s right in front of you. Free Palestine.”
The grand final will now have 25 performers rather than 26 after Dutch act Joost Klein was disqualified following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has been approached for comment.
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:29
Eurovision’s Bambie Thug says pro-Palestine protests ‘putting a cloud above everyone’
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:16
Olly Alexander speaks out: ‘What a road it has been’
The UK’s delegate Olly Alexander has shared a somewhat muted video from his hotel room ahead of the final tonight. To be honest, who can blame him – it’s sounding as though the show is being thrown into further chaos after France’s entry Slimane called for “peace” (will the EBU see this as a “political” statement, I wonder?) and a Nowegian jury spokesperson resigned at the 11th hour, currently no confirmation as to why.
“We’re here, and last night’s jury performance went really well, so, let’s do this,” Alexander says in his video. “What more can I say apart from… vote for me. And… I love you all”
And no comment on his fellow delegate Joost being disqualified. Hmm.
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:12
Who is Eden Golan? Israel’s 2024 Eurovision contestant singing Hurricane at the final in Sweden
Accusations that a genocide is being carried out in Gaza have been vehemently denied by Israel, amid its ongoing war with Hamas sparked by the 7 October attacks. More than 34,000 Palestinians, including more than 14,000 children, have been killed by Israeli strikes since 7 October.
Here’s everything we know about her so far:
Roisin O’Connor11 May 2024 18:01