Dutch contestant Joost Klein expelled from Eurovision final amid anti-Israel protests
- Swedish police say a man was questioned for threatening a Eurovision employee inside Malmo Arena following the competition’s second semi-final
- The incident has nothing to do with the Israeli delegation, organisers say, as Dutch broadcaster slams Klein’s expulsion as ‘disproportionate’
Dutch contestant Joost Klein has been expelled from Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest final after a complaint by a member of the production crew, organisers have said, adding to the headaches for host Sweden as it also grapples with anti-Israel protests.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said on Friday it was investigating an “incident” involving Klein, 26, whose quirky song “Europapa” had made him one of the favourites.
The 68th version of the contest, normally a festival of catchy songs and tongue-in-cheek kitsch, is taking place amid protests in host city Malmo over the participation of Israel, due to its war in Gaza.
Swedish police earlier on Saturday said a man had been questioned for threatening a Eurovision employee inside Malmo Arena following the competition’s second semi-final on Thursday.
The person was not detained, police said without naming the individual, adding the matter had been referred to a prosecutor.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him [Joost] to continue in the Contest,” the EBU said in a statement.
A representative for Klein did not immediately respond to a request for comment.