Joost Klein: Eurovision disqualifies Dutch actor over incident with female crew member

Malmo
CNN
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The Eurovision Song Contest was thrown into turmoil again on Saturday when organizers disqualified the Dutch contestant hours before the grand finale over a behind-the-scenes incident involving a female crew member.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual event held this year in Malmö, Sweden, said police were investigating the incident involving singer Joost Klein and it was not appropriate for him to attend.

“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production team following an incident following his performance in the semi-finals on Thursday evening. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue competing,” the EBU said.

A spokeswoman for the Swedish Police Agency said in a statement sent to CNN: “A man is suspected of making unlawful threats. The crime is said to have been committed on Thursday evening in the Malmö Arena.”

“The man was questioned by police but was not arrested,” she added.

CNN has reached out to Klein’s team for comment.

The Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS criticized the EBU for expelling Klein. In a statement it said it “considers the disqualification to be disproportionate and is shocked by the decision”.

The incident follows controversy over Israel’s participation in the competition. In the days leading up to the competition, pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated daily in Malmö. The EBU said Klein’s disqualification did not affect any other artist or a member of a delegation from another country.

The alleged incident with Klein occurred on Thursday evening after the second semi-final, the EBU said.

On Friday afternoon in Malmö, rumors circulated among the delegations and the press when Klein did not appear at a dress rehearsal as planned. He was scheduled to rehearse in Eden Golan immediately before the Israeli invasion, leading to unconfirmed speculation about a connection between the events.

Golan’s entry has caused divisions in the competition, whose motto is “united through music.” The EBU ordered Israel to change the lyrics of its song, originally called “October Rain,” because it deemed it too political.

However, the contest continued to face calls from some fans and pro-Palestinian activists to exclude Israel entirely, citing Russia’s ban in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Thousands of protesters are expected to gather at the Malmo Arena for the final on Saturday evening, with the EBU facing the very real prospect that Israel could win the competition.

The atmosphere in Malmö is subdued. Due to the tensions, Swedish police have deployed additional officers to the city. Armed police can be seen at many intersections, and there is an additional security ring around the hotel where the Israeli delegation is staying. Security guards patrolled the venue where the official after-show parties were held.

Israel secured a place in the final on Thursday, after which Italian broadcaster RAI accidentally revealed the apparent result of the public televised vote. The results showed that Israel had won 39% of the popular vote in Italy – a landslide victory. RAI said the results were published by mistake and later said the data was “incomplete.” The EBU said it had told RAI that the move was “a breach of the rules”.

Bookmakers see Israel as the second favorite to win the competition behind Croatia. The Swiss Nemo, the French Slimane, the Irish Bambie Thug and the Ukrainians Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil are also considered top contenders.

The competition, desperately clinging to its apolitical label, has become one of the largest cultural events hit by the fallout from Israel’s war in Gaza.

The Israeli military campaign has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza since it began in response to Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.

Many participants were asked to share their views on the conflict or Israel’s involvement. Golan was booed by some parts of the crowd during her untelevised jury appearance on Wednesday night.