The Eurovision organization is holding an emergency meeting this afternoon due to the reactions generated by the disqualification of the representative of the Netherlands, Joost Klein, due to an investigation into alleged threats by the Swedish police. Likewise, Israeli television has confirmed that the organization of the event has moved them to a room separated from the rest of the delegations.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is experiencing hours of high tension before its celebration tonight. The morning began with the confirmation by the European Broadcasting Union of the elimination from the competition of the Dutch representative, Joost Klein, who was denounced for threatening an EBU worker.
Furthermore, Norwegian media report that four countries (United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland and Portugal) considered withdrawing from the competition last night. All four participants remain in competition at the time of publication of this ticker.
As indicated by the organization, the situation occurred after last Thursday’s semifinal, where the Netherlands qualified for the final. After that, the incident that led to his disqualification occurred. “We maintain a zero tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe environment for all of our staff.“says the statement.
Dutch television (AVROTROS, which hosted the festival three editions ago and whose head of delegation, Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen, was show director for the last three festivals); has indicated that this has been a decision “disproportionate“.
“We have taken note of the disqualification by the EBU. AVROTROS finds this disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision“, they stated in a post on social networks. In a subsequent statement they explained that Klein informed the organization that he did not want to be recorded after the semifinal, but a camera approached him, and he ended up making a threatening gesture at the operator. .
And the station adds: “Yesterday and today we consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions. However, the EBU has decided to disqualify Joost Klein. AVROTROS considers that this penalty is very harsh and disproportionate. We defend good manners, we do not want any misunderstanding about that, but from our point of view, an exclusion is not proportional to this incident“.
For the moment, the Netherlands will be able to vote in the final and the vote of its jury – exercised during last night’s rehearsal – is valid. In fact, during the rehearsal for the final, he connected with the country’s spokesperson, the youtuber NikkieTutorials, who said: “I had no idea that we could continue voting, to be honest,” he added, and called for “music unites us” and “paths open for a deeper dialogue.”
Israel, moved to another room
Israeli television, Kan, has confirmed on social media that the European Broadcasting Union has asked them to move to a different room from the rest of the delegations. Although there is no official reason for this change, throughout the week, members of different delegations have reported that members of the Israeli delegation followed them to record them after they made some gesture related to Palestine.
This situation has also occurred in the press center, where yesterday afternoon the Spanish journalist Juanma Fernández reported that four people accredited by the Israeli delegation tried to intimidate him after having shouted ‘Free Palestine’ after Eden’s rehearsal. Golan.
In addition, several comments have also been widely commented on by members of the Israeli delegation, especially by the composer of ‘Hurricane’, Keren Peles, who has disqualified several of this year’s artists on her social networks, such as representative of Ireland, Bambie Thug; the Dutch, Joost Klein, or the Greek Marina Satti. Additionally, Eden Golan’s stylist, Itay Bezaleli, had to delete a video in which he recorded Thug without her permission and called her a “monster.”
The participant most openly opposed to the actions of the Israeli delegation is Bambie Thug, who represents Ireland with ‘Doomsday Blue’ and who has informed the EBU of the comments made by Israeli commentators during the postcard of her performance: “I I like to speak negatively about Israel, but we’ll talk about that later.
Ireland does not rehearse
In fact, during the rehearsal this Saturday afternoon, Thug did not perform because he was reporting to the European Broadcasting Union a “situation” that had to be addressed “urgently” so he missed the rehearsal and did not. has acted. Neither Satti nor the representative of Switzerland, Nemo, have participated in the flag parade either, although they have subsequently performed.
Irish television, RTÉ, has not clarified the reason for this absence, although in the same news that they published to explain it they included statements by Thug about the presence of Israel in the contest: “It completely covers up everything and goes against everything.” of what Eurovision should be. It’s a great united community and its participant couldn’t even meet us. And God forbid we have any conversations in which someone’s thoughts can be changed. It definitely puts a cloud over everyone,” he added. .
In fact, he has indicated that he cried when Israel was announced as a finalist last Thursday. On Friday, Thug appeared at the press center wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh and a watermelon, a symbol of the Palestinian people. She is not the only artist who has spoken out on the matter: the Portuguese Iolanda will wear a suit made by a Palestinian brand in the flag parade and nine other participants signed a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Furthermore, the representative of France, Slimane, interrupted his performance during the third rehearsal to launch a speech in which he alluded to the contest’s motto “United by music” and noted: “All artists want to sing about love now.” peace, but within love and peace”. On Friday afternoon, Italian Angelina Mango appeared at the press center to sing “Imagine” by John Lennon. “Today, once again, I just want the music to speak, this is the strongest message I can share,” she said.
Protests and withdrawals
This Saturday, in addition, a demonstration was held in front of Malmö City Hall calling for a boycott of Eurovision due to Israel’s participation. It is the third of its kind so far this week.
Furthermore, Norway’s vote spokesperson, Alessandra Mele (who went to Eurovision in 2023), has waived awarding the points. In a video on Instagram he pointed out that ‘United by music’ “are just empty words”: “There is a genocide underway and I ask you all to please open your eyes and your heart. Let love take you to the truth. It is right in front of you. Free Palestine.
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