https://www.timesofisrael.com/eurov...ho-wore-keffiyeh-during-first-semifinal-show/
The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, officially began Tuesday evening with the first live semifinal, which went off largely without a hitch — except for an opening act performer who drew a rebuke from organizers for making a political statement.
Eric Saade — a Swedish singer and past Eurovision contestant who was one of the performers invited to take part in the opening act of the show on Tuesday — appeared on stage with his wrist wrapped in a keffiyeh, a Palestinian symbol often used in pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests.
Saade, whose father is Palestinian, railed against Eurovision organizers last week for their ban on flags and symbols that represent any nation not participating in the contest, including the Palestinians — a policy that has been in place for years. He wrote on social media that the European Broadcasting Union was “disgraceful,” and accused it of disseminating “Israeli propaganda.”
EBU expresses ‘regret’ that Swedish-Palestinian singer Eric Saade violated ‘non-political nature’ of contest; Israeli-born singer for Luxembourg qualifies for grand final
The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, officially began Tuesday evening with the first live semifinal, which went off largely without a hitch — except for an opening act performer who drew a rebuke from organizers for making a political statement.
Eric Saade — a Swedish singer and past Eurovision contestant who was one of the performers invited to take part in the opening act of the show on Tuesday — appeared on stage with his wrist wrapped in a keffiyeh, a Palestinian symbol often used in pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests.
Saade, whose father is Palestinian, railed against Eurovision organizers last week for their ban on flags and symbols that represent any nation not participating in the contest, including the Palestinians — a policy that has been in place for years. He wrote on social media that the European Broadcasting Union was “disgraceful,” and accused it of disseminating “Israeli propaganda.”
