Eurovision fires Dutch contestant Joost Klein after controversy over ‘incident’

Eurovision has kicked out the Dutch contestant after a controversy over an “incident” involving him.

Joost Klein allegedly made verbal threats to a Eurovision Song Contest production worker at the venue in Malmö, Sweden, on Thursday evening.

Eurovision Organizers dismissed widespread rumors that it was related to the Israeli delegation, saying: “We would like to clarify that, contrary to some media reports and speculation on social media, no other artist or delegation member was involved in this incident .”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe working environment for all competition staff.”

“Against this background, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered a violation of the competition rules.”

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said on X that Klein’s disqualification was “disproportionate”, while the Dutch delegation said it was “shocked” by the decision.

Swedish police said in a statement: “A man is suspected of making unlawful threats at the Malmö Arena on Thursday evening.”

“The man was questioned by police but was not arrested. The complainant is an employee of Eurovision. The police have interviewed the suspect, the complainant and witnesses.”

Klein, 26, did not appear at two dress rehearsals on Friday because the EBU said it was investigating an “incident.”

Around 180 million people around the world are expected to watch as 25 participants compete in the final tonight, including Croatia and Switzerland, who are considered winners of the trophy, ahead of British participant Olly Alexander with his track Dizzy and the Irishman Bambie Thug.

Klein was scheduled to perform his track “Europapa,” a happy-hardcore-inspired song that was dismissed by one critic as “so bad” that it would “put off music forever,” but was still one of the favorites to win was.

Protests have intensified competition over Israel’s involvement in the war Gaza.

Further pro-Palestinian protests are planned in Malmö on Saturday evening, coinciding with the grand finale War between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

There have been demonstrations and calls to boycott the show in recent months after the EBU refused to exclude Israel from the competition on the grounds that the country had not broken any broadcasting rules.

On Thursday, 10,000 to 12,000 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, gathered, went onto the street of the city demanded the exclusion of Israel.

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Ms Thunberg, 21, claimed Israel was trying to “artwash” the Eurovision Song Contest, referring to the use of artistic performances to distract from perceived negative actions by people, groups, governments or countries.

“The world cannot remain silent in the face of genocide,” she said on X.

At a news conference that same day, Klein covered his head while Golan spoke to reporters and shouted “Why not?” when the moderator told her she didn’t have to answer a journalist’s question.