The Israeli delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest claims they were victims of an ‘unprecedented display of hatred’ this year by rival countries and participants in the competition.
A spokesperson for public broadcaster Kan claimed yesterday that the 2024 event was overshadowed by angry feelings and protests over Israel’s participation.
It went on to say that Israelis at the event “maintained a dignified and respectful approach” before sharply barbing that they respected the rules “unlike some other delegations.”
Eden Golan represented the country at the event in Malmö, Sweden, and was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers as she finished fifth.
Israel’s Shin Bet national security agency even warned Golan not to leave her hotel room except for performances, after receiving death threats and amid fears of terror attacks.
After Saturday’s performance, Eurovision organizers said there were some delegations who “didn’t respect the spirit of the rules” but did not name names.
Eden Golan sings the song Hurricane during the second dress rehearsal on Wednesday
Golan from Israel takes the stage during the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest
Bambie Thug finished a respectable sixth place, while Switzerland’s Nemo rose to victory
Protesters hold a banner reading ‘Welcome to Genocide Song Contest’ in Malmö
Angelina Mango from Italy (photo on May 11) is among the participants who complained about a ‘tense’ atmosphere backstage
In a statement to the BBCsaid a spokesperson for Kan: ‘This year the Israeli delegation faced enormous pressure and an unprecedented display of hatred, especially from other delegations and artists, publicly and collectively, for the simple fact that we are Israelis and that we goods. .’
It added that the Israeli delegation “strived to promote unity around music while adhering to the rules of the competition.”
Ireland’s Bambie Thug and Italy’s Angelina Mango are among those who complained about a ‘tense’ atmosphere backstage.
Pro-Palestinian Irish act Bambie launched a furious row over their ‘terrible’ experience on the show after backing Israel in the final.
This year’s show was perhaps the most controversial yet, with some acts hiding messages of support for Palestine in their costumes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Dutch singer Joost Klein was also ordered to go home after being accused of intimidating behavior by a female member of the production crew.
The Dutch Song Contest said he had ‘repeatedly indicated’ that he did not want to be filmed and that he had ‘not touched the camerawoman’.
In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which administers the Eurovision Song Contest, said some participants had filed complaints.
“During the event, we spoke to a number of delegations regarding various issues that were brought to our attention,” the statement said.
The EBU Governing Bodies, together with the Heads of Delegations, will review events surrounding the ESC in Malmö to move forward in a positive manner and ensure that the values of the event are respected by all.”
Golan shared a New York Times article on her Instagram page in which she defiantly says she “won’t let anything break me”
Pro-Palestinian Irish act Bambie Thug (above) found themselves in a furious row
Dutch singer Joost Klein (pictured) was sent home after being accused of intimidating behavior by a female member of the production crew
Italian Angelina Mango (photo) is one of the participants who complained about the atmosphere
After the grand finale, Bambie, who has publicly shared his pro-Palestinian views, accused Israel’s national broadcaster KAN of “inciting violence” against them during its reporting.
Meanwhile, the 27-nation European Union criticized organizers for their “incoherence” in banning the flag from the concert hall during the final.
In an unusually sharp letter, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas wrote to the Switzerland-based European Broadcast Union, which organizes the competition, saying the ban contributes to “discrediting a symbol that brings all Europeans together ‘.
In a competition already full of controversy, the European Commission said it plans “a very lively discussion” with organizers about the ban.
Even though the 27-nation EU did not compete as such, many of its member states did, and the star-spangled blue flag is often seen as a unity for all involved.
Mr Schinas wrote that “such actions have cast a shadow over what is intended to be a joyful occasion for peoples across Europe and the world to come together to celebrate.”
The flag can be seen at countless events in EU countries and often flies alongside the national colours, from small town halls to huge government buildings.
Mr Schinas was particularly bitter because the ban came just a month before EU-wide parliamentary elections, where the EU as an institution is the subject of fierce debate and often attacked by extremist parties.
“The incoherence in the EBU’s position has left me and many millions of your viewers wondering what and who the Eurovision Song Contest stands for,” the letter said.
Israeli singer Golan warms up for the Eurovision Song Contest by having her entourage boo her and shout ‘Free Palestine’ ahead of the final
People take to the streets to protest against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest
During the week-long competition, organizers were already in turmoil due to protests related to the war in Gaza and Israel’s participation in the event, on top of the controversial disqualification of the Dutch participant due to an incident that was never fully explained. was declared.
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday evening with The Code, an operatic-pop-rap ode to the singer’s journey to embracing a non-gender identity.
Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, has faced death threats ahead of her performances at the Malmö Arena, while even her fellow competitors were accused of bullying her during a press conference.
Greek singer Marina Satti caused a stir after she yawned dramatically and pretended to fall asleep while Golan was speaking – as the singer became a lightning rod for criticism.
Satti can be seen with her head on her hand, looking out at the crowd before closing her eyes and pretending to yawn.
She then puts her head in her arms and lays her head on the table in an apparent display of boredom as Golan continues to talk.
Meanwhile, Irish entry Bambie Thug, 31, revealed they cried with their team after discovering Israel had qualified for the grand final.
One of the most talked about performers was Ireland’s, who accused Eurovision bosses of ‘not supporting’ them amid a row with Israel over comments made about them by a broadcaster.
Bambie finished a respectable sixth place, while Swiss non-binary star Nemo rose to victory.
But at a press conference after the final they were outraged by an incident involving Israeli broadcaster Kan and the EBU’s response, shouting: ‘F*** the EBU.’
Armed police officers stand outside the hotel where the Dutch delegation was staying
Eden Golan represents Israel and is on stage during the rehearsals leading up to the grand finale
Bambie, who describes herself as a “queer witch,” told journalists at the press center that Kan had “incited violence against me two, three times,” and that their team had raised this with the EBU, but the organizer had yet to still no response.
They accused Israeli broadcaster KAN of a rule violation and said they were waiting for a response from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on what action would be taken.
On Tuesday, a KAN commentator warned viewers that Bambie’s performance of their song, Doomsday Blue, would be “the most terrifying” of the night, with “lots of spells and black magic and dark clothing, satanic symbols and voodoo dolls.” .
He went on to say that Bambie – who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestinian positions – liked to “talk negatively about Israel,” before adding, “But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.”
The EBU said in a statement about the KAN commentary: ‘We have spoken to KAN, the Israeli broadcaster, about this issue and reiterated the importance of all commentators respecting all artists participating in the competition and adhering to the rules and prescriptions of the event.’
