May 10th 2024.
During the semi-finals of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, Fred Leone, a musician from Electric Fields, made a powerful statement by incorporating a pro-Palestinian message into his performance. Alongside his bandmates Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, Fred took the stage in Malmo, Sweden, with a symbol of a watermelon painted on his chest. This fruit has come to represent Palestine due to its colors aligning with the state's flag.
In an Instagram post, Fred explained the significance of his body paint, stating, "From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated while innocent children, mothers, and fathers die by the thousands in a GENOCIDE." He also clarified that his support for Palestine does not mean he is against Jewish people, but rather against the violence and oppression being carried out by Israel.
This decision to use his platform to speak out against the ongoing genocide in Palestine was a personal one for Fred, despite the potential consequences it may have on his career as an artist. He expressed his love and support for the children of Palestine and acknowledged that not everyone may agree with his stance, but history will ultimately judge those who continue to turn a blind eye to these atrocities.
Fred was not the only musician to make a political statement at the Eurovision semi-finals. Former Swedish contestant Eric Saade also wore a symbol of support for Palestine, wearing a keffiyeh on his arm during his performance. This sparked some controversy, with the Eurovision organizers stating that they regretted Eric's decision to "compromise the non-political nature of the event."
Unfortunately, Electric Fields did not qualify for the grand final after the public vote. This was not the first time that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizers of Eurovision, took a strong stance against political messages and banned flags and symbols from non-competing countries. However, this year, there have been calls for a boycott of the event due to the inclusion of Israel's performer, Eden Golan, amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian protests took place in Malmo during the week of Eurovision, with thousands of demonstrators voicing their opposition to Israel's participation. Despite this, Eden, 20, was able to qualify for the grand final after a public vote. However, her performance was met with boos and shouts of "Free Palestine" from the audience. Electric Fields, on the other hand, did not receive enough votes to progress to the final round with their song "One Milkali."
The Agency has reached out to the EBU for comment on these political statements and protests at the Eurovision Song Contest. The grand final will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, May 11. If you have a celebrity story or any interesting information, please contact the entertainment team at The Agency. They can be reached via email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page.
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