For the first time, an artist, the Dutch artist Klein, was excluded from the ESC shortly before the final. There are now further explanations for the reasons. The treatment of the Israeli participant also makes headlines.
Uproar in Malmö: For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), a participant has been excluded from the ongoing competition. A few hours before the final, the European Broadcasting Union EBU announced the end of the Dutchman Joost Klein.
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The reason is a police investigation after a woman from the ESC production team filed a complaint. After ARD-Information is that Klein is said to have beaten the woman. The incident happened on Thursday after the second ESC semi-final.
According to the Dutch TV channel Avrotros, the incident is related to unwanted filming. “Contrary to clear agreements made, Joost was filmed as he came off the stage and into the greenroom (Note: The area where the artists are located) had to rush,” Avrotros shared. “At that moment, Joost repeatedly made it clear that he didn’t want to be filmed. This was not taken to heart. This caused Joost to make a threatening movement towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman.” The broadcaster criticized Klein’s exclusion as disproportionate.
No connection with Israeli singer
Avrotros is part of the Dutch public broadcaster NPO. Klein’s disqualification was also regretted there: “The NPO considers this to be a very drastic decision.” This is a disappointment for the millions of song contest fans in the Netherlands and other European countries. The course of events after the competition will be assessed in detail with everyone involved.
According to the EBU, the exclusion has nothing to do with Klein’s behavior towards the Israeli singer Eden Golan, as was previously suspected. When they were questioned at the press conference, he pulled the Dutch flag over his head and interrupted, which was seen as disrespectful and as an expression of his criticism of Israel.
Police are investigating allegations of intimidation
Malmö police spokesman Pelle Vamstad told AFP about the allegations against Klein, “the police are investigating allegations of intimidation. The crime was committed on Thursday evening in the Malmö Arena.” The suspect was heard. “He is not in custody.” He did not provide any further details.
The EBU said it had a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior. They want to offer all employees of the competition a safe working environment. While the investigation was ongoing, it would therefore be “not appropriate” for Klein to continue to participate in the competition, it said.
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now take place with 25 countries taking part. The first broadcasts the event live from 9 p.m.
Consequences for the process
The incident also has an impact on the course of the event. The EBU explained: “All participants will keep their number in the official starting order. There will be no song at position 5.”
The Netherlands will not be able to receive any points in the audience vote in the evening. However, the Dutch viewers are allowed to vote. According to ESC rules, you are not allowed to vote for your own country.
Overshadowed by politics and problems
Klein’s expulsion is not the only problem that overshadows the ESC. Dealing with Israel has been a defining theme of the music competition for days. In Malmö in recent days, thousands of people took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and demanded that Israel be excluded from the ESC because of its military actions in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators also marched through the city today.
During the appearance of the Israeli Eden Golan in the semi-finals there were boos in the hall, Swedish stewards had to take a Palestinian flag from a spectator – the ESC is declared to be a non-political event. A few hours before the final, the Norwegian points announcer also backed out. The singer Alessandra Mele justified the move with the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the protests, Golan confidently qualified for the final. The bookmakers now even see her as the favorite to win the ESC final behind the Croatian Baby Lasagna.
Alexander Schmidt-Hirschfelder, RBB, currently Malmö, tagesschau, May 11, 2024 12:35 p.m