May 17th 2024.
The Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmo, Sweden in 2024 was one of the most controversial in history. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip added a layer of tension to the competition, especially when Israel's singer, Eden Golan, qualified for the event. Pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the Malmo Arena to express their discontent, while some contestants, like Ireland's Bambie Thug, raised doubts about Israel's involvement.
Eden's performance of her song "Hurricane" received a mixed reaction from the audience, with both cheers and jeers heard in the arena. However, the real controversy came from the accusations made by Israel's national broadcaster, Kan, about the treatment of their delegation by other acts. Kan claimed that they faced unprecedented hatred from other delegations and artists throughout the competition.
The statement released by Kan also mentioned the pressure and hatred faced by the Israeli delegation outside of the competition. Pro-Palestine protesters stood outside the Malmo Arena, adding to the tense atmosphere. To keep up with all the drama and behind-the-scenes gossip, fans could join Metro's Eurovision community on WhatsApp, where they could also vote for their favorite acts.
Kan's statement did not directly accuse any specific countries, but it praised Eden for handling the challenges with dignity and respect. Eden had to change the lyrics and title of her song to comply with competition rules, and Kan was proud of the result and the points received from the European audience.
There were also controversies within the Israeli delegation itself, as Dutch performer Joost Klein was expelled on the eve of the Grand Final due to an incident with a female member of the Eurovision production crew. Swedish police stated that charges were likely to be filed against Joost.
Despite all the controversies, Switzerland emerged as the champions of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 and will host the event in 2025. Before the competition, there were also allegations made on social media about the behavior of the Israeli delegation, but it is unclear how many official complaints were made to the European Broadcasting Union.
Bambie Thug, whose real name is Bambie Robinson, also accused Kan of breaking competition rules during the flag parade rehearsal. The matter was taken seriously by the European Broadcasting Union, and discussions were held about the necessary actions to be taken.
The Eurovision Song Contest may have been filled with controversies, but it was also a celebration of music and unity. Despite the challenges faced by the Israeli delegation, they remained respectful and dignified, unlike some other delegations. And ultimately, it was the music that spoke for itself, with Switzerland's Nemo walking away with the trophy.
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