Dutch contestant Joost Klein kicked out of Eurovision hours before contest final
The Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was expelled from competition hours before Saturday’s final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
Competition organizer the European Broadcasting Union said Swedish police were investigating “a complaint made by a female member of the production crew” against Dutch performer Joost Klein. The organizer said it wouldn’t be appropriate for Klein to participate at the event while the legal process was underway.
Though Eurovision’s motto is “united by music,” this year’s event has proven divisive. Israel’s participation has attracted large pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with protesters saying the country should be excluded because of its conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip.
few Palestinian flags were waved in the auditorium during Saturday’s Eurovision dress rehearsal, in defiance of a ban on flags other than those of competing nations.
The competing musicians are feeling the pressure, inundated with messages and abuse on social media and unable to speak out because of the contest rules. Italy’s contestant, Angelina Mango, made a statement by walking into the Eurovision media center on Friday and performing John Lennon’s “Imagine” as dozens of journalists gathered around her.
Swedish singer Loreen, last year’s Eurovision champion – and one of only two performers to win the contest twice – said world events were “traumatizing” but urged people not to shut down the “community of love” that is Eurovision.
“What heals trauma … Does trauma heal trauma? Does negativity heal negativity? It doesn’t work like that,” she told The Associated Press. “The only thing that heals trauma for real – this is science – is love.”
Source: cbsnews.com