By Leila Nezirevic
LONDON (AA) - Dutch public broadcaster AvroTros decided to not present a jury vote in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest after Joost Klein was kicked out of the competition Saturday.
AvroTros’s decision comes after Eurovision organizers kicked out the Netherlands' singer following a controversial “incident.”
Klein was initially put under investigation Friday by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after he was heard asking Israel’s contestant Eden Golan to justify her participation in the contest at a news conference amid Tel Aviv’s war on Gaza.
The EBU claims, however, that the decision to disqualify Klein is related to him allegedly making verbal threats to a female production worker at the venue in Malmo, Sweden, late Thursday.
AvroTros said in a statement that it consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions.
“Nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein. AvroTros considers the penalty very heavy and disproportionate,” it said. “We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited about tonight. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn’t have ended this way,” AvroTros added.
Klein is extremely upset about the affair, AvroTros director Taco Zimmerman told the current affairs show, EenVandaag. “He so wanted to perform. He is wearing sackcloth and ashes.”
The broadcaster plans to make a formal protest about the EBU decision, he said.
Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people have so far signed a petition to show solidarity with Klein.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Saturday marched in Malmo to protest Israel’s participation in the contest.
Protesters waving Palestinian flags set off smoke flares in the Palestinian flag colors and chanted: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Israel is a terror state,” as they demanded a cease-fire in Gaza.
An alternative Palestinian song contest, FalastinVision, was held Saturday in Malmo to protest Israel's participation in the competition.
In March, the EBU confirmed the participation of Israel’s act Eden Golan, despite worldwide demands for her to be removed amid the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip.
The EBU held a crisis meeting after several contestants from various countries decided not to show up for the flag parade during stage rehearsal, the Swedish public broadcaster reported Saturday.
Norwegian singer Alessandra Mele, who was scheduled to award Norway's points during the final Saturday, decided to withdraw.
Mele cited an inflamed situation that has overshadowed the competition in 2024.
In an Instagram post posted Saturday, she said: “’United by music’ is Eurovision's motto, and the reason why I do music - to unite people. But right now, they are empty words. A genocide is taking place. Free Palestine,” she said.