Dutch contestant Joost Klein kicked out of Eurovision 2024: Did he bully Israel’s Eden Golan earlier than remaining?
Whereas 2024 Eurovision was hit by a number of pro-Palestine rallies with many calling for the boycott of Israel, the music contest was marred by one other controversy.
Hours earlier than the ultimate, Dutch artist Joost Klein was kicked out from the competition following a backstage incident.
He was booed out after he failed to look for 2 costume rehearsals, prompting the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to launch an investigation right into a “incident.”
In an announcement on social media, Dutch broadcaster Avrtotros denounced Klein’s exclusion as “disproportionate”, saying that they’re “shocked by the choice” and can “come again to this later”.
Notably, Klein was among the many favourites to win Eurovision 2024 with ‘Europapa’, a music devoted to his late father, who died as a result of most cancers when the singer was simply 12-year-old. He had promised his dad that he would sooner or later qualify for the Eurovision.
Throughout the first stage costume rehearsal, the information of Klein’s suspension broke out and a manufacturing supervisor was hinted that the singer’s props arrange on stage will likely be eliminated.
Due to this fact, his music was dropped with out clarification, and Israel’s singer Eden Golan, who was imagined to go to the stage subsequent, changed him.
Additionally Learn: Who’s Eden Golan? Israeli singer faces boycott calls as Greta Thunberg joins pro-Palestine protests at Eurovision
Did Joost Klein breach contest guidelines by bullying Eden Golan?
Following his ouster, Swedish police confirmed {that a} man had allegedly made “illegal threats” at Malmö Enviornment after the semi-final, which came about on Thursday.
Police knowledgeable that they’ve accomplished the probe and the case will likely be taken up by the prosecutor inside a couple of weeks.
Though contestants have been disqualified from Eurovision up to now, none has ever misplaced their place this near the ultimate.
Swedish and Dutch information retailers have claimed that the incident concerned Klein and a member of the tv manufacturing group. Nevertheless, the organisers asserted “this incident didn’t contain another performer or delegation member”.
Early studies steered there had been antagonism between Klein and Israel’s contestant amidst the continued Israel-Hamas struggle.
Throughout a press convention, a journalist requested Eden: “Have you ever ever thought that by being right here you deliver danger and hazard for different members and the general public?”
She responded that she was “very excited to go on stage once more, and share my love with everybody”.
Her response piqued Klein’s consideration, and he instructed her she ought to have addressed the query explicitly.
Saturday’s grand remaining will now characteristic 25 acts slightly than the beforehand deliberate 26.
Dutch viewers are nonetheless permitted to vote, and the Dutch jury’s choice, which was made at Friday’s second costume rehearsal, remains to be acceptable.
