The representative of the Netherlands at Eurovision 2024, the singer Joost Kleindid not rehearse his song this Friday, May 9 European Pope during the general the day before the final. “We are currently investigating an incident reported to us regarding the Dutch artist. He will not rehearse until further notice“, indicated the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the competition, in a press release without giving further details.
The 68th edition of Eurovisiona song competition that aims to be apolitical, is marked by the controversies around Israeli participation against the backdrop of the war in Gaza. In Malmö, some 12,000 people demonstrated on Thursday May 9 against Israel’s entry into the competition. During the rehearsal, Joost Klein paraded with the other competition participants at the start of the general, but then did not go on stage when his turn came.
At the end of the semi-final on Thursday evening, the 26-year-old had expressed his disagreement with being placed next to Israeli representative Eden Golan, notably covering his face with the Dutch flag on several occasions. With his Klein blue suit with large shoulder pads and his peroxide hair, he interprets European Popea hymn to Europe and unity. According to public television SVT, the “incident” mentioned by the EBU was a confrontation between Joost Klein and a photographer.
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