The Swedish-Palestinian singer Eric Saade this Tuesday became the unexpected protagonist of the first semi-final of Eurovision 2024, held at the Malmö Arena in Sweden, for displaying a Palestinian scarf tied around his wrist during his opening number of the gala alongside the Cypriot Eleni Foureira and the Spanish Chanel.
The interpreter had already expressed in recent weeks through his social networks his dissatisfaction with the decision of the EBU, the organizing body of the contest, to allow Israel’s participation in this year’s festival despite its offensive on Gaza. That is why he was surprised that the organizers included him as one of the guest artists of the night due to his status as his former representative, since he was third in 2011 with his song Popular.
“The organization of Eurovision by the EBU is shameful. They do not allow any Palestinian symbols inside the Arena, while symbols representing any other ethnicity are welcome. (…) Their slogan ‘united by music’ (if not You are Palestine) it’s already a joke (…) They broadcast Israeli propaganda in prime time to the world, but they focus on the Palestinian flag? It’s more crucial than ever for me to be present on that stage,” the Swede published through a statement on social networks last Saturday.
After displaying the Palestinian scarf in the first semifinal, the organization charged the singer for not respecting the “apolitical nature” of the contest. Ebba Adielsson, Executive Producer of the festival, He stated in statements to the Swedish media that he considered it ‘sad’ that Eric exploited his participation on stage “in this way.”
Swedish television SVT also published a statement from the EBU on its website in which it stated: “Eurovision is a live programme. All artists are informed about the rules of the contest. We regret that Eric Saade has chosen to ignore the apolitical of the event”.
As a consequence, the festival has not uploaded the video of her performance to any of its social networks (neither YouTube, Instagram nor TikTok), unlike it has published the appearances of Eleni Foureira and Chanel in that same opening show.
After the controversy, Eric Saade has defended his decision to wear the Palestinian scarf during his appearance on television: “My father gave me this scarf when I was little, so that I would never forget where my family is from. At that time he did not imagine that one day he would be called a “political symbol.” It’s like calling a ‘Dalahästen’ – a typical Swedish equestrian statue – a political symbol. From my point of view it is pure racism. I simply wanted to include and wear something that identified me, but the EBU seems to think that my ethnicity is controversial. He says much more about them than about me. I tell you what this year’s Eurovision motto is: ‘united by music’, she noted in a subsequent interview.
