From our special correspondent in Malmö (Sweden)
This is the kind of political stance that the organizers did not want to see on the Eurovision stage. Opening the first semi-final on Tuesday, Swedish singer Eric Saade performed a re-orchestrated version of Popular, the song with which he finished third at Eurovision 2011, and, around his left wrist holding his microphone, he had circled a keffiyeh. A gesture of support for the Palestinian people which did not go unnoticed on social networks.
“Eurovision is a live show. Everyone who performs there knows the rules and we regret that Eric Saade has decided to compromise with the idea of a neutral competition,” the organization reacted to our colleagues from the Swedish daily Expressen.
Born to a Swedish mother and a Lebanese-Palestinian father, Eric Saade had been outraged in recent months that Israel had been allowed to take part in the competition.
“You can take away our symbols but you will not take away my presence”
This weekend, after his presence on the stage of the first semi-final was announced, he explained his motivations in a story post on Instagram. “When you are no longer able to wear a symbol of your ethnicity in our so-called ‘free world’, it is more important than ever for me to participate. Palestinian symbols are not allowed inside the Arena while other symbols representing other ethnicities are welcome. (…) You can ban our symbols, but you will not be able to take away my presence. »
The regulations in place at Eurovision since 2017 only allow the flags of participating countries, as well as the rainbow banner of the LGBT community. “We want to avoid the room becoming a platform for political messages,” said Ebba Adielsson, the producer of the 2024 edition at Expressen.
Before the competition, the Eurovision organization published a long list of items prohibited for the public inside the Malmö Arena, starting with bags, umbrellas but also clothing carrying “insulting, religious or political”… The size of the flags must not exceed one meter by 50 cm.
Since Israel’s participation was made official on December 5, many voices have been raised, particularly in the Nordic countries, to demand its exclusion from the 2024 edition. In March, several of the artists competing this year signed a joint statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
