All of the hidden pro-Palestinian messages in Eurovision contestants’ outfits and performances after the acts were BANNED from making political statements
It was meant to be a joyful celebration of European musical kitsch, but instead this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was the most political ever.
The run-up to the annual glitter festival was overshadowed by the conflict between Gaza and Israel, with activists calling on organizers to ban the Jewish state.
Huge pro-Palestinian protests, attended by people like Greta Thunberg, took place in the host city of Malmö in Sweden, forcing Israeli singer Eden Golan to take shelter in her hotel, guarded by armed police.
Many had hoped everything would settle down by the time the final took place, but the big night was marred by controversy – with one act disqualified just hours before they were due to take the stage amid a police investigation.
Contestants were prohibited from showing any political allegiance during the competition, but it appears that many nods to the Palestinians slipped through the net.
From Iolanda’s manicure to Eric Saade wearing a keffiyeh, MailOnline takes a look at all the secret pro-Palestinian messages acts sent to viewers at home.
At the end of the Portuguese performance, singer Iolanda simply said “peace will prevail” and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art: the Palestinian Keffiyeh
The Portuguese Iolanda
At the end of the Portuguese performance, singer Iolanda simply said “peace will prevail” and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art: the Palestinian Keffiyeh.
The singer performed her song Grito at the final of the competition, which was held at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, after making it to Tuesday’s first semi-final.
The Irish Bambie Thug
Ireland’s own Bambie Thug shouted out a defiant message after their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.
The singer said: ‘Love will triumph over hate!’
Bambie slammed the Eurovision Song Contest organizers, claiming they did not support them after Israeli television dubbed their semi-final performance ‘Satanic’.
The ‘ouji pop’ star came sixth in Ireland’s first major final of the music event since 2018, one place behind Israel’s Eden Golan, whose participation sparked anger among pro-Palestinian protesters during the Gaza war.
Bambie, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestinian positions, accused Israeli broadcaster Kan of a rule violation and said they were waiting for a response from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on what action would be taken.
On Tuesday, a KAN commentator warned viewers that Bambie’s performance of their song, Doomsday Blue, would be “the most terrifying” of the night, with “lots of spells and black magic and dark clothing, satanic symbols and voodoo dolls.” .
He went on to say that Bambie liked to “talk negatively about Israel,” before adding, “But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.”
Bambie, who describes herself as a “queer witch,” told journalists at the press center that Kan had “incited violence against me two, three times,” and that their team had raised this with the EBU, but the organizer had yet to still no response.
‘[The EBU] We waited until the last minute, but we still haven’t gotten an explanation back, haven’t allowed ourselves to be scapegoats, haven’t allowed us to be the spokesperson to stand up for ourselves,” Bambie said.
Ireland’s own Bambie Thug shouted out a defiant message after their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final
Australian Fred Leone
Australian Eurovision 2024 entry Electric Fields have revealed they paid tribute to Palestine during the semi-finals.
Fred Leone, a Yidaki player who joined Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross on stage during their performance in Malmö, Sweden, said on Instagram that the watermelon symbol on his chest was a pro-Palestinian message.
The fruit is associated with Palestine because its colors match the state’s flag.
Fred shared a photo of himself during the semi-finals and wrote: ‘That’s a watermelon on my chest. From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated as innocent children, mothers and fathers died by the thousands in a genocide.
‘Jewish people bother me. Israel is not Judaism. Israel does not represent the Jewish people. I don’t feel like GENOCIDE. My great-grandfather survived three massacres. Our families in so-called Australia are the survivors of an ongoing genocide.
‘This was a personal decision. What comes of this, no matter how damaging to my career as an artist, depends solely on those in power. All my love to the children of Palestine. You may disagree, that’s fine, but history will judge you as such [an idiot].’
Australian Eurovision 2024 entry Electric Fields have revealed they paid tribute to Palestine during the semi-finals
Italian Angelina mango
This year, Angelina Mango represented Italy, subtly suggesting she was pro-Palestine.
The singer-songwriter performed her song La Noia during the final that took place on Saturday, after success in the semi-finals.
A fan pointed this out on social media platform
This year, Angelina Mango represented Italy, subtly suggesting she was pro-Palestine
The Swedish Eric Saade
Eurovision organizers last night reprimanded one of the opening acts of Eurovision 2024 for wearing a keffiyeh during the first semi-final.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, one of three former competitors who opened the competition in Malmö, tied the scarf – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East – around his wrist.
Saade, of Palestinian descent, came third for Sweden at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Israel’s involvement this time.
A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, said: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest is a live TV programme.
“All artists are informed of the rules of the competition, and we regret that Eric Saade has chosen to compromise the non-political nature of the event.”
Saade was joined by fellow Eurovision alumni Eleni Foureira, who came second for Cyprus in 2018, and Chanel, who came third for Spain in 2022, as he appeared with the keffiyeh clearly visible wrapped around his wrist.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, one of three former competitors who opened the competition in Malmö, tied the scarf – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East – around his wrist.