Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 is the most significant controversy of the edition and it was expected to cause a stir from the first semi-final, where the Middle Eastern state is not even present, since the ticket to the final is at stake this Thursday, 9 May. What perhaps few intuited is that the gestures of protest existed right in the opening number of the festival.
Eleni Foureira (Cyprus 2018), Eric Saade (Sweden 2011) and Chanel Terrero (Spain 2022) have joined forces in a powerful medley to open this first sieve, performing the hits with which they almost took the crystal microphone: Fire, Popular and SloMo. However, the most outstanding performance, and not precisely because of the musical aspect, has been that of the Swedish flag bearer 13 years ago.
These months, Saade, born and raised in the Scandinavian country, but with Palestinian roots on his father’s side, has been especially critical of the fact that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU-EBU) has ignored the situation in Gaza and has allowed Eden Golan, after several changes of lyrics and even song, to take the stage at the Malmö Arena.
Thus, during the opening act, the 34-year-old artist has unapologetically shown the camera a Palestinian scarf tied to his arm. For the EBU-UER, this gesture in favor of the Palestinian people has not gone unnoticed and could be said to have already had consequences.. She has been visible on the Eurovision Instagram account, where a video has been uploaded of each show that viewers have seen at tonight’s gala.
Of all, except that of Eric Saade, to whom his pro-Palestinian demand may have taken its toll.. This opening performance does not appear on the contest’s YouTube channel either, so those who would like to access the number starring Eleni, Chanel and Eric from the video platform have not been able to.
Sveriges Television (SVT), organizer of Eurovision this year, has already commented on Saade’s action in the first semi-final of the contest. In statements to AftonbladetSwedish public television has been especially harsh on the singer: “We find it sad that he uses his participation in this way”.
