Dutch artist is disqualified from Eurovision after producer complains

The Eurovision Music Festival had yet another turbulence this Saturday (11), when organizers disqualified the Dutch participant hours before the grand final due to a behind-the-scenes incident involving a member of the production team.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual event, which takes place this year in Malmo, Sweden, said police were investigating the incident involving singer Joost Klein and it would not be appropriate for him to take part.

“Swedish police investigated a complaint made by a female production team about an incident following her performance in Thursday night's semi-final. While the legal process continues, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the competition,” the EBU said.

A spokeswoman for the Swedish Police Authority said in a statement sent to CNN : “A man is suspected of unlawful threats. The crime would have been committed at the Malmo Arena on Thursday night.”

“The man [foi] interrogated by police but not detained,” she added.

A CNN reached out to Klein's team for comment.

Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS criticized the EBU for expelling Klein and said in a statement that it “considers the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision.”

The incident follows controversy over Israel's participation in the competition. Pro-Palestinian protesters have demonstrated daily in Malmo in the days leading up to the competition. The EBU said Klein's disqualification did not involve any other artist or delegation member from another country.

Tensions rise in Malmo ahead of the final

The alleged incident involving Klein happened on Thursday night after the second semi-final, the EBU said.

Rumors then began to circulate among delegations and the press in Malmo on Friday afternoon (10) when Klein did not perform as planned at a dress rehearsal. He was scheduled to rehearse just before Israeli entry, Eden Golan, which led to unconfirmed speculation that the events were related.

The controversy surrounding Golan's entry sowed division in the competition, whose motto is “united by music”. The EBU instructed Israel to change the lyrics of its song, which was originally called “October Rain”, considering it too political.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Golan in a video message for his performance in the face of what he called “an ugly wave of anti-Semitism,” while “representing the State of Israel with great honor.” ”.

But the dispute has faced continued calls from some pro-Palestinian fans and activists to exclude Israel altogether, citing Russia's 2022 ban following its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Thousands of protesters are expected to gather at the Malmo Arena for the final this Saturday night, with the EBU facing the very real prospect that Israel could win the competition.

Swedish police sent additional officers to the city following the tensions. Armed police can be seen at many intersections and there is an extra security ring around the hotel where the Israeli delegation is staying. The security team has been patrolling the interior of the place where the official post-show parties take place.

Israel secured a place in the final on Thursday, after which Italian broadcaster RAI accidentally revealed what appeared to be the results of the public vote. The results showed that Israel won 39% of the public vote in Italy – representing a landslide victory. The RAI said the results were published in error and later said the data was “incomplete”. The EBU said it told RAI that the move “violated the rules”.

Bookmakers have Israel as the second favorite, behind Croatia, to win the competition. Nemo from Switzerland, Slimane from France, Bambie Thug from Ireland and Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil from Ukraine are also considered top candidates.

The competition – which desperately clings to its apolitical label – has become one of the biggest cultural events hit by the repercussions of Israel's war in Gaza.

Israel's military assault has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza since it was launched in response to Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.

Many participants were asked to express their opinions on the conflict or on Israel's participation. Golan was booed by some sections of the crowd during her untelevised appearance to the jury on Wednesday night.