Dutch Eurovision Song Contest contestant misses rehearsals due to ‘incident’ investigation

The Dutch Eurovision Song Contest representative missed Friday’s dress rehearsal as organizers investigated an “incident” involving the artist.

Joost Klein was scheduled to sing the official Dutch contestant song “Europapa” during the show on Friday evening (May 10), but the live audience was told that Klein would not be performing.

This was said by a spokesman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Sky News: “We are currently investigating an incident reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not rehearse until further notice.”

“We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.”

Related: Why is Great Britain in the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest?

There is no official word yet on whether Klein will appear at Saturday’s grand final in Malmö.

Klein had been on stage for the flag parade at the start of Friday’s rehearsal at the Malmö Arena before it was decided to cancel the artist’s live performance.

Instead, organizers repeated Klein’s performance of “Europa” from the semifinals earlier in the week.

Klein was also present at a news conference on Thursday where Israeli participant Eden Golan was asked whether his participation posed a security risk to other participants.

Swedish presenter Jovan Radomir interrupted Golan and said she didn’t have to answer the question, before Joost Klein was heard asking, “Why not?”

Related: Bambie Thug becomes Ireland’s first Eurovision finalist in six years

Controversy continues to reign at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to the humanitarian crisis between Israel and Palestine.

The long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine flared again after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, resulting in repeated attacks by Israel. Calls for a ceasefire continue, including from the United Kingdom, which voted for a ceasefire at the UN Security Council in March.

Some have called for Israel to be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, while other fans have boycotted the event entirely.

Israeli participant Eden Golan

Eurovision competitors including Olly Alexander from Great Britain made a statement called for a ceasefire, and other celebrities have made similar calls, including Mean Girls Renee Rapp, euphoria star Hunter Schafer and Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo. In February, Mark Ruffalo told deadline: “We understand that this bombing isn’t working, we won’t bomb our way to peace, and we’re just saying: What’s wrong with giving a ceasefire a chance?”

Writer/director Jonathan Glazer also made the comment at the Oscars in March during his acceptance speech for Best International Feature Film The zone of interest, Shown is a family living next to a concentration camp in Auschwitz.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 grand final will air on BBC One on Saturday at 8pm, following the premiere of the two-part season Doctor Who.

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