2024-05-13 15:06:02
Things got political around the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Some artists also expressed their opinions in the final show – but in secret.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine overshadowed the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Many called for the Israeli entry to be excluded from the competition as a result of the Middle East war – like Russia in 2022 after the attack on Ukraine. Days before the final, demonstrators filled the streets of the Swedish city of Malmö. The Israeli candidate Eden Golan was not only booed during the final show, she also received death threats beforehand.
Despite the loud protests during the live broadcast, the controversy was not discussed in front of the cameras. This year, too, the ESC made it a point to exclude politics from the TV event – but not all candidates wanted to stick to it.
“Peace will prevail”
Although the artists were prohibited from demonstrating their political affiliation during the final show, the Portuguese singer Iolanda couldn’t resist making a reference. At the end of the performance of her song “Grito,” she said, “Peace will prevail,” and reinforced that message with her choice of nail art. Her decorated fingernails were reminiscent of the keffiyeh, a head or neck scarf worn by men and women in the Arab world. The piece of fabric has become a symbol of support for Palestine as a result of the Middle East war. Whenever the 29-year-old was in the picture, she stuck her nails into the camera.
The Irish act Bambie Thug didn’t just use the big stage to present the song “Doomsday Blue”: the singer also addressed critical words to the audience. After her performance, she shouted: “Love will triumph over hate!” During the rehearsal, the 31-year-old also wrote the words “Freedom for Palestine” on her legs, but had to remove this message before the live broadcast. Bambie Thug was one of the biggest critics of Israel’s participation after she was described as “satanic” on Israeli television. “The EBU waited until the last minute and we still haven’t received a statement. They allowed us to be made scapegoats,” she also criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The Australian pop duo Electric Fields didn’t make it to the final round of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with their song “One Milkali”, but they positioned themselves politically in the semi-finals. The symbol of a watermelon was emblazoned on the chest of Fred Leone – a didgeridoo player who was on stage with musicians Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross during the performance. The fruit is associated with Palestine because its colors match the state’s flag.
Fred Leone wrote on Instagram about a picture of him performing in the semi-finals: “That’s a watermelon on my chest. From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated, while innocent children, mothers and fathers in the thousands died in a genocide,” he explained his point of view.
The Swedish singer Eric Saade also couldn’t resist making a political statement in the semi-finals. As one of three former Eurovision Song Contest contestants, he performed at the opening ceremony wearing a keffiyeh around his wrist. The 33-year-old, who is of Palestinian origin, had repeatedly spoken out against Israel’s participation in advance.