The Netherlands' representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Joost Klein, has been disqualified from the competition. According to Sky News, the singer allegedly threatened a member of the competition's production team.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed the information regarding the exclusion in a statement issued on Saturday morning: “The Swedish police investigated a complaint made by a member of the production team, following an incident following her performance in the semi-final on Thursday.” , reads the statement.
“We want to make it clear that contrary to what some say, middle And speculation on social media did not involve any other interpreter or member of the delegation.”
translator Urubaba He was already suspended from practice on Friday. There was speculation that the Dutch singer might have been suspended due to a quarrel with a member of the Israeli delegation, after the episode in which he participated with the Israeli singer Eden Golan, in the press conference for the second semi-final.
A journalist asked Golan whether he thought his participation could threaten the safety of the rest of the competitors. After a mediator told the Israeli actress she wouldn't have to answer that question, Jost simply asked, “Why not?” On the same occasion, another journalist asked the Dutch actor if he thought his song could “unite everyone through music”, to which Jost replied: “It's a good question for the European Broadcasting Union.”
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for the entire competition team,” UER said in the statement issued on Saturday. “Jost Klein’s behavior towards a team member therefore constitutes a violation of the competition rules.”
With the expulsion of the Netherlands, the number of finalists for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest has been reduced to 25 competitors. The country won a place in the grand final on Thursday, in the same semi-final in which Israel qualified for the final.
Eurovision 2024 has been marked by a series of controversies. Israel's participation in the contest – which has been contested for months – continues to spur numerous demonstrations in Sweden and other countries. During many of the Israeli actor's rehearsals and performances, the audience booed the artist, even going so far as to sing songs calling for the liberation of Palestine. Flags and any Palestinian symbols were banned during the festival.
After Israel qualified for the final, the song tornado They rose sharply at the betting tables, partly because Italian television RAI released what appeared to be Italian television results (it is forbidden to disclose these numbers to the public before the end of the competition). According to RAI figures, Israel would have won a landslide victory in the televised election, with almost 40% of the vote. Secondly, for reference, the Netherlands' share was just over 7%.
On Friday, the RAI issued a statement saying the reveal was an accident, due to a technical issue, but stressed that the votes announced were “incomplete”.
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