by Jewish News Channel
Friday, May 17, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Israel Faced 'unprecedented hatred' At Eurovision
The Israeli delegation at last week’s Eurovision Song Contest encountered significant hostility from other countries and their entrants, according to Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan.
The event, held in Malmö, Sweden, saw tensions backstage and protests over Israel’s participation, stemming from the war between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.
On Thursday, Kan’s spokesperson released a statement to BBC News, accusing other countries of anti-Israel behaviour.
The statement claimed that the Israeli delegation faced immense pressure and unprecedented hatred from other delegations and artists, simply because they were Israeli.
Despite these challenges, the delegation reportedly maintained a dignified and respectful approach, focusing on unity through music and adhering to competition rules.
Eurovision organisers noted that some delegations did not respect the event’s rules but did not specify which countries were involved.
Among the critics was Ireland’s Bambie Thug, who had been vocally opposed to Israel’s participation. Additionally, some participants, including the Dutch team, accused the Israeli delegation of filming them without permission.
Represented by singer Eden Golan, Israel received a mixed response from the audience, finishing fifth in the competition. Golan faced boos and cheers during her performance and encountered criticism from other contestants during a press conference.
Kan’s statement praised Golan for handling the situation admirably and highlighted the respect she earned from the European audience.
However, after the final, Bambie Thug accused Kan of inciting violence against them during its coverage.
Greek singer Marina Satti and Dutch contestant Joost Klein also showed disrespect towards Golan during the press conference. Klein was later disqualified from the contest due to an alleged altercation with a production crew member.
Portugal’s national broadcaster complained to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about a delay in posting its performance to YouTube, attributed to their contestant, Iolanda, painting keffiyeh-inspired designs on her nails.
The EBU expressed regret that some delegations did not respect the spirit of the rules and the competition. It pledged to review the events with the heads of delegations to ensure the values of the event are upheld in the future. Individual cases will be discussed at the next meeting of the event’s governing body.
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