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It’s supposed to be a joyful celebration of European musical kitsch, but instead this year’s Eurovision was the most political ever.
Preparation for the annual festival of glitz was overshadowed by the conflict between Gaza and Israel, with activists calling on organizers to ban the Jewish state.
Huge pro-Palestine protests, attended by people like Greta Thunberg, took place in the host city of Malmo, Sweden, forcing Israeli singer Eden Golan to take refuge in her hotel guarded by armed police.
Many hoped things would calm down by the time the final rolled around, but the big night was marred by controversy: one act was disqualified just hours before they were due to take the stage amid a police investigation.
From Iolanda’s manicure to Eric Saade in a keffiyeh, MailOnline takes a look at all the secret pro-Palestine messages the acts sent to viewers at home.
At the end of the performance in Portugal, singer Iolanda simply said “peace will prevail” and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art: the Palestinian Keffiyeh.
Yolanda from Portugal
At the end of the performance in Portugal, singer Iolanda simply said that “peace will prevail” and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art: the Palestinian Keffiyeh.
The singer performed in the final of the contest, which was held at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden, with her song Grito after passing the first semifinal on Tuesday.
Ireland’s Bambie Bully
Ireland’s own Bambie Thug shouted a defiant message after his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.
The singer said: ‘Love will triumph over hate!’
Bambie slammed the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest, claiming they did not support her after Israeli television called her semi-final performance “satanic”.
The ‘ouji pop’ star took sixth place in the music event’s first grand final in Ireland since 2018, one place behind Israeli Eden Golan, whose entry sparked the ire of pro-Palestinian protesters amid the war in Gaza.
Bambie, who has been outspoken about his pro-Palestine views, accused Israeli broadcaster Kan of violating the rules and said they have been waiting to hear from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what measures would be taken.
On Tuesday, a Kan commentator warned viewers that Bambie’s performance of her song, Doomsday Blue, would be “the scariest” of the night, involving “a lot of spells, black magic and dark clothing, satanic symbols.” and voodoo dolls. .
He went on to say that Bambie liked to “talk negatively about Israel,” before adding, “But we can talk about that later.” She prepares your curses.’
Bambie, who describes herself as a “queer witch,” told reporters at the press center that Kan “incited violence against me two, three times,” and that her team had raised this with the EBU. but the organizer still No response.
“(The EBU) waited until the last minute, we still have not received a statement, they have not allowed us to be scapegoats, they have allowed us to be the spokesperson to defend ourselves,” Bambie said.
Ireland’s own Bambie Thug shouted a defiant message after his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.
Fred Leone from Australia
Australia’s entry Electric Fields in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 have revealed they paid tribute to Palestine during the semi-finals.
Fred Leone, a Yidaki musician who joined Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross on stage for their performance in Malmo, Sweden, said on Instagram that the watermelon symbol on his chest was a pro-Palestinian message.
The fruit has been associated with Palestine because its colors match the state flag.
Sharing a photo of himself performing in the semi-finals, Fred wrote: “That’s a watermelon on my chest.” From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated as thousands of innocent children, mothers and fathers died in a GENOCIDE.
‘I agree with the Jewish people. Israel is not Judaism. Israel does not represent the Jewish people. I do not agree with the fucking GENOCIDE. My great-grandfather survived three massacres. Our families across so-called Australia are survivors of an ongoing genocide.
‘This was a personal decision. What comes of this, however damaging it may be to my career as an artist, depends solely on those in power. All my love for the children of Palestine. You can disagree, that’s fine, but history will condemn you as (an idiot).’
Australia’s entry Electric Fields in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 have revealed they paid tribute to Palestine during the semi-finals.
Angelina Mango from Italy
Representing Italy this year was Angelina Mango, who made a subtle suggestion that she was pro-Palestine.
The singer-songwriter performed her song La Noia in the final held on Saturday, after her success in the semifinal.
One fan pointed this out on social media platform
Representing Italy this year was Angelina Mango, who made a subtle suggestion that she was pro-Palestine.
Eric Saade from Sweden
Eurovision organizers last night reprimanded one of the Eurovision 2024 opening acts for wearing a keffiyeh during the first semi-final.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, one of three former contestants who opened the contest in Malmo, tied the scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East, around his wrist.
Saade, of Palestinian origin, came third with Sweden in the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Israel’s participation on this occasion.
A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a live television programme.
“All artists know the rules of the Contest and we regret that Eric Saade has decided to compromise the apolitical nature of the event.”
Saade was joined by fellow song contest contestants Eleni Foureira, who came second in 2018 for Cyprus, and Chanel, who finished third for Spain in 2022, when she appeared with her keffiyeh wrapped around her wrist on display.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, one of three former contestants who opened the contest in Malmo, tied the scarf around his wrist, which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East.
