By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
MALMÖ, SWEDEN (Worthy News) – Viewers from over 140 countries decided that Israel became 5th at Eurovision while Switzerland won what is the largest televised song contest in the world, held in the Swedish city of Malmö.
The outcome of Saturday’s 68th Eurovision Song Contest came after days of offstage drama and anti-Israel protests over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza that have overshadowed the musical celebration.
Israel ending in the top five among 25 countries in the Eurovision’s grand finale was seen as a miracle by Israel supporters at a time when voting became highly politicized.
But experts said the 20-year-old Israeli artist Eden Golan had an amazing performance of “Hurricane,” the song that she had to change after her “October Rain“ song was judged to be referring to the October 7 massacre by Hamas of some 1,200 people in Israel.
As she entered the stage, there were cheers and boo sounds as thousands watched Golan representing the Jewish—nation after riots outside the building.
Ahead of her singing for an estimated television audience of 180 million, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged Golan to disregard the protests.
“BE BLESSED”
“You’re competing not just in the Eurovision in a proud and very impressive manner, but you are competing successfully in the face of an ugly wave of antisemitism — and you are standing up to it and representing the State of Israel with huge honor,” added Netanyahu in a video message
The prime minister told Golan that “Be blessed, and know that when they boo you, we are cheering you on.”
He spoke as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, protested outside the venue against the Golan’s participation.
Thunberg was arrested on Saturday as the pro-Palestine protest turned into a riot outside the Eurovision venue where she was protesting the participation of Israeli singer Golan.
“I’m here to show we think it is outrageous and inexcusable for Eurovision to let Israel participate while committing a genocide,” Thunberg told reporters. She did not address the Hamas atrocities that sparked the war.
In the end, this year’s trophy of the annual Eurovision extravaganza was handed over in the Malmö Arena to Switzerland’s Nemo for his song The Code.
‘SAFE HAVEN’
Nemo, 24, is the first self-declared “nonbinary” contest winner that promotes itself as a “safe haven” for the LGBTQ+ community.
After the very last vote had come in, his “The Code” song was seen getting 591 points from the professional jury and through televoting.
Croatia finished second with “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” by Baby Lasagna, receiving 547 points. And wartorn Ukraine ended up in third place thanks to Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil with their song “Teresa & Maria” on 453 points. Israel was 5th with 375 points, the results showed.
The Netherlands was disqualified after its singer Joost Klein had an alleged altercation with a female member of the production crew of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision.
Klein had also come under pressure after seemingly intimidating Israel’s singer during a press conference.
When a Polish journalist asked Golan if she had considered that “her presence at the contest might be endangering the other acts and the attending fans,” the host intervened to say she did not have to answer the question if she did not want to.
EBU SECURITY
“Why not?” interjected Klein, who sat beside her, a Dutch flag draped over his head.
“I think we are all here for one reason and for one reason only… And I think the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone. So I think it’s safe for everyone. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here,” Golan said, prompting cheers and loud applause.
Golan had been thrust into the center of the international controversy surrounding Israel’s war.
She received heavy security and was reportedly ordered by security to stay in her hotel room when not performing due to safety concerns.
Yet, with Israel ending up in the top 5 of the Eurovision Song Contest, she had reasons to celebrate at a time when her nation faced significant military challenges.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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