Swede Eric Saade wore a Palestinian scarf during the opening of the first Eurovision semi-final. The event’s organizers have already criticized the option for “compromising the apolitical nature of the event.”
The first Eurovision semi-final, which determined the passage of the Portuguese song, performed by Iolanda, to the final, began with the performance of participants from previous editions. Cypriot Eleni Foureira took the stage, with Firethe Spanish Chanel, with slow motion, and the Swede Eric Saade, with Popularwho is at the center of the controversy after wearing a keyffiyeh (a scarf that is a symbol of the Palestinian resistance) on his left wrist.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the contest, has already criticized the Swedish singer’s demonstration in favor of Palestine, regretting that “has chosen to compromise the apolitical nature of the event.” In response to The Times of Israel, the EBU added that the show is broadcast live and that “all artists are informed of the rules.”
Still, the statement Politician Eric Saade, whose father is Palestinian, was a surprise to the organization, as the Swedish singer did not wear the keffiyeh during rehearsals for his performance. The artist, who is not the Swedish representative this year, was invited to participate in the opening of the first Eurovision semi-final.
According to The Times of Israel, Artists competing in Eurovision (and those who are invited) are prohibited from making political statements or using political symbols and flags from countries that are not competing in the event.. This was not the first time that Eric Saade showed his support for the Palestinians. Last week he described the EBU’s decision to ban Palestinian flags as “shameful”.
Portugal is in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has marked this year’s edition of Eurovision, whose winner will be announced next Saturday. European political representatives and artists made several appeals to the European Broadcasting Union to veto Israel’s participation in the contest.
Among the various calls, in late March, representatives of nine countries, including Portugal, signed a letter calling for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire” in the Palestine war and the return of all Israeli hostages. In the document, the artists began by stating that they recognize “the privilege of participating in Eurovision”, but that they do not feel “comfortable remaining silent” given the “current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in particular in Gaza and Israel.” ”.
At that time, the EBU recalled that the festival is an “apolitical” event. However, in 2022 it was decided to expel Russia from the competition after the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Iolanda appeared on the turquoise carpet (where representatives from all countries parade, marking the start of the competition’s live shows), in Malmö, wearing a dress from a Palestinian brand and painted nails with the keffiyeh pattern.
On the turquoise carpet, Iolanda wore a dress from a Palestinian brand
Source: Observadora
