Eurovision 2024: Dutch contestant booted from contest over backstage incident

globalnews.ca:

The Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was expelled from competition hours before Saturday’s final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.

Competition organizer the European Broadcasting Union said Swedish police were investigating “a complaint made by a female member of the production crew” against Dutch performer Joost Klein. The organizer said it wouldn’t be appropriate for Klein to participate at the event while the legal process was underway.

Though Eurovision’s motto is “united by music,” this year’s event has proven divisive. Israel’s participation has attracted large pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with protesters saying the country should be excluded because of its conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip.

Klein, a 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper, had been a favourite of both bookmakers and fans with his song “Europapa.”

He failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday, and the EBU had said it was investigating an “incident.” Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, one of dozens of public broadcasters that collectively fund and broadcast the contest, said that as Klein came offstage after Thursday’s semifinal he was filmed without his consent and in turn made a “threatening movement” toward the camera.

The broadcaster said Klein didn’t touch the camera or the female camera operator, and called his expulsion “very heavy and disproportionate” punishment.

Some music lovers in the Eurovision fan park expressed dismay at the Dutch expulsion. Sven Sherman from Sweden said it was a “pity that a song which is absolutely made for Europe” is now disqualified.

“I mean, honestly, which country has done so much, many good things for Europe,