BRATTY Eurovision singers have come under fire for bullying Israeli star Eden Golan as the iconic competition continues to be plagued with issues.
Among those who have turned against the 20-year-old woman is Dutchman Joost Klein who has now been banned from rehearsing for Saturday’s final and placed under “investigation” for an unknown incident.
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The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest has been shrouded in problems this week all revolving around the decision to let Israeli singer Eden Golan compete.
Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators have flooded the streets of Malmo with some of the furious mob even being caught with weapons on them by cops.
And the Israeli secret service has also been forced to fly to Sweden to bolster up a huge Eurovision security operation amid chilling ISIS threats.
But now issues have started to arise within the competition itself as some of the countries’ acts have been labelled as bullies.
There have been several incidents since the acts arrived on Thursday involving Eden who has stirred up controversy simply by being allowed to compete due to her nation being at war.
Greek singer Marina Satti was seen theatrically falling asleep at the Eurovision press conference when Eden was speaking.
Satti can be seen smirking and laughing at the crowd as they film her dodgy acting as Eden is asked a question.
Slumped on the table, the Greek actress closes her eyes and opens her mouth wide in a very exaggerated yawn as she pretends to snore and dream away.
Satti then lays her head in her arms before a fellow contestant grabs at her arm to make her sit up properly.
The act of pretending to fall asleep is often associated with boredom.
Eden has been the main focus of the week due to her country being at war and the demonstrations surrounding her inclusion.
This has led to many of the questions and media events revolving around her – seemingly annoying the rest of the European field.
In the same clip, the Dutch contestant can be seen with what looks like a red t-shirt draped over his head as Eden speaks next to him.
Dutchman Joost Klein, 26, would go on to be seriously left red in the face as he was “pulled” from today’s rehearsals.
The flamboyant performer has been told he will not be preparing for tomorrow night’s final – despite there being just hours to go.
In a statement to the PA news agency, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist.
“He will not be rehearsing until further notice.”
Klein was one of the most vocal voices against Israel’s inclusion into the competition as he felt the safety of himself and others was being jeopardised by her showing up.
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A journalist asked Eden: “Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and the public?”
The singer replied that she was “very excited to go on stage again, and share my love with everyone”.
This caught the attention of Klein who told the young woman she should’ve answered the question directly.
Eurovision’s 2023 runner-up has also been called out by viewers online after Käärijä demanded a video of him dancing and singing with Eden was taken down.
The Finnish man, whose real name is Jere Mikael Pöyhönen, has distanced himself from the Israeli woman after he received backlash from pro-Palestine fans.
The pair were laughing and holding hands as the controversial video ends.
Pöyhönen released a statement via his Instagram saying: “Despite my requests for its removal, it has not been taken down.
“I would like to clarify and emphasise that the video is not a political statement or an endorsement of any kind.”
Israeli author Hen Mazzig said it was “dehumanising” to Eden for the Fin to publicly ask for it to be removed despite her personally doing nothing wrong.
Irish star Bambie Thug was also made to change her outfit before her semi-final performances as she referenced the war in Gaza.
The EBU have strict rules around apolitical acts from song choices to outfits.
Bambie had scrawled “ceasefire” and “freedom for Palestine” on her body in Ogham – the language of the Medieval alphabet.
She was made to change the words to something more appropriate for the event and picked “crown the witch” instead.
The Irishwoman said it wasn’t anything to do with Eden but more so a statement to show her beliefs as a pro-justice and pro-peace advocate.
EUROVISION TROUBLES
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest has been shrouded in problems this week all revolving around the decision to let Israeli singer Eden Golan compete.
Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators have flooded the streets of Malmo with some of the furious mob even being caught with weapons on them by cops.
And the Israeli secret service has also been forced to fly to Sweden to bolster up a huge Eurovision security operation amid chilling ISIS threats.
Security teams have been deployed across the busy city this week with officers stationed on roofs with sniper rifles as others patrol Malmo on foot.
The police are thought to be constructing a protective ring around the makeshift Eurovision village as they look to keep everyone safe.
Drones, boats and military trucks have all been seen patrolling the Swedish city.
The mob-style takeover of Malmo has dramatically ramped up since Thursday when Israel’s contestant Eden Golan first took to the Eurovision stage.
Police estimate that 10,000 people demonstrated Eden’s inclusion in the competition prior to her chaotic semi-final rehearsals.
Smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off as others gathered on Malmo’s central square Stortorget waving Palestinian flags and shouting “Boycott Israel”.
Police can be seen battling with protesters in pictures from the protests as some were left holding their faces after claiming they were pepper sprayed.
Nine people were warned about “disturbing the public order” with one man being arrested for allegedly carrying a knife, say cops.
More demonstrations are expected on Saturday when the 2024 final gets underway as extra security has been added – including Israel’s secret service Shin Bet.
Swedish police are fearful that the 100,000 Eurovision fans rocking up to the Malmo Arena for the grand final won’t be coming alone.
They estimate tens of thousands of demonstrators will also be present making policing the event tricky with a bridge feared to be one of main entrance routes for the demonstrators.
Why Israel can compete at Eurovision but Russia can’t…
ISRAEL was allowed to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest but Russia has been excluded since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Why?
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the event, has defended its ruling that Israel is allowed to compete despite its war in Gaza.
It claimed that it would be a “political move” to bar Israel from competing.
Defending the inclusion of Israel, the EBU’s director general Noel Curran said, “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU.
“It is not a contest between governments.”
On February 25 2022, the EBU excluded Russia from participating before it was due to perform in the semi-final.
At the time, it said Russia’s inclusion could bring the competition into disrepute “in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”.
Citing the 2022 exclusion of Russia this week, Curran said, “The Russian broadcasters themselves were suspended from the EBU due to their persistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service values.”
Israel has won Eurovision five times in the past 50 years it has taken part in the singing competition.
EDEN’S EUROVISION JOURNEY
Israel’s 2024 entry into the iconic contest has expertly navigated the troubling scenes out in Sweden as she continues to be hounded by angry mobs of protesters.
Despite all the worrying, Eden left the Malmo Arena with a beaming smile on her face after making it through to the finals.
She could be seen wildly celebrating her semi-final victory in lovely pictures with the young star now tipped to potentially win it all this weekend.
Eden’s powerful semi-final performance saw her belt out her controversial song Hurricane in front of a packed audience in Malmo despite the issues around the singer.
She was cheered on during the show in the wake of carnage in her rehearsals where she was savagely booed by anti-Israel protesters.
Eden cheered and thanked her fans as she left the stage to rapturous applause as Israel was named as the fifth country on the night to make Saturday’s grand final.
The singer is now set to enter the fiercely contested battle for Europe’s most beloved act as one of the favourites to win.
Bookmakers have Eden as the second most likely victor just behind Croatia.
Several of the betting sites, including PaddyPower and SkyBet, have the two countries far ahead of the rest of the chasing pack making it a two horse race.
Israel has a good history at Eurovision as they have won it four times.
After finding out she had done enough to qualify for Saturday’s final, Eden could be seen screaming and celebrating the win.
Pictures show the young singer surrounded by Israel flags and her pals pumping the air with a beaming grin on her face.
Eden looked ecstatic as she jumped up for joy as the relief poured out after what had been an incredibly tough day for the 20-year-old.
Eurovision crowds were less friendly to the Israeli singer during Thursday’s song rehearsals as thousands booed and jeered her from the crowd.
Her voice was drowned out by the cries of “Free Palestine” at some parts.
Protesters even turned their back as Eden performed with some even wearing masks and covering their ears.
Some of the crowd tried their best to help her through the stellar performance however with many applauding her.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Eden for her incredible singing at the semi-final despite “contending with an ugly wave of anti-Semitism.”
Eden has already been made to change her chosen song due to its original links to the war in Gaza.
Her original song was titled “October Rain” before producers declared the direct reference to the October 7 massacre caused by Hamas thugs wasn’t acceptable.
She has since changed it to “Hurricane”.
Amongst the anger and threats she has faced online, Eden says she hopes her performance will help to unite people.
“It’s a super important moment for us, especially this year,” she said earlier this week.
“I feel honoured to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country.”
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