Row over Israel’s Eurovision slot
Country’s participation draws fierce debate amid protest in Swedish city
Malmo (Sweden): Israel’s presence in the Eurovision song contest triggered fierce debate amid protests in the host city, while the Dutch contestant was mysteriously pulled from rehearsals on the eve of the final.
Thousands of pro-palestinian demonstrators marched through Malmo on Thursday before Israeli singer Eden Golan made it through to the final yesterday when more protests are expected.
German Culture Minister Claudia Roth and other governments denounced calls to boycott Israeli artists over their country’s actions in Gaza however.
“Especially in these times, we need more cultural cooperation between Europe and Israel,” she posted on social media platform X, calling boycott demands “absolutely unacceptable”.
France’s European Affairs Minister Jeannoel Barrot told Liberation newspaper that “politics has no place in Eurovision”.
But in Spain, the far-left Sumar party, part of the coalition government, launched a petition calling for Israel to be excluded from the competition.
Israel is one of 26 nations competing in a contest watched around the world by millions of lovers of pop – and kitschy shows.
More controversy erupted after the European Broadcasting Union organisers announced that Dutch competitor Joost Klein (pic ) had been prevented from rehearsing on Friday over an unspecified “incident”.
Dutch broadcaster SVT suggested the incident had been a confrontation with a photographer. Dutch broadcasting association Avrotros said a probe was ongoing and that it was in “constant talks” with the EBU.
During rehearsals, Klein had paraded with other participants ahead of the performances but did not go on stage when it was his turn.
At the end of Thursday’s semifinal, the 26-year-old had appeared to object to being placed beside Golan, at several points covering his face with a Dutch flag.