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Israel's Eurovision team claims it suffered 'unprecedented display of hatred' from rival countries at scandal-hit song contest
The Israeli delegation at Eurovision claim they were subjected to 'unprecedented display of hatred' by rival countries and entrants at this year's contest.
A spokesman for the public broadcaster Kan yesterday claimed the 2024 event was overshadowed by frazzled tempers and protests over Israel's participation.
It went on to say the Israelis at the event 'maintained a dignified and respectful approach' before saying they respected the rules 'unlike some other delegations' in a pointed barb.
Eden Golan represented the country at the event in Malmö, Sweden, and was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers as she finished fifth.
Israel's national security agency Shin Bet even warned Golan not to leave her hotel room except for performances after receiving death threats and amid terror-attack fears.
After the performance on Saturday, Eurovision organisers said there were some delegations which didn't 'respect the spirit of the rules' but stopped short of naming names.
Eden Golan performing the song Hurricane during the second dress rehearsal on Wednesday
Golan from Israel enters the stage during the opening ceremony of Eurovision
Bambie Thug finished in a respectable sixth place, as Switzerland's Nemo soared to victory
Protesters hold a banner reading 'Welcome to Genocide song contest' in Malmo
Angelina Mango from Italy (pictured on May 11) is among the contestants who complained about a 'tense' atmosphere backstage
In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for Kan said: 'This year, the Israeli delegation faced immense pressure and an unprecedented display of hatred, notably from other delegations and artists, publicly and collectively, solely because of the simple fact that we are Israelis and that we were there.'
It added that the Israeli delegation was 'striving to foster unity around music while adhering to the competition's rules'.
Ireland's Bambie Thug and Italy's Angelina Mango are among the contestants who complained about a 'tense' atmosphere backstage.
Pro-Palestine Irish act Bambie launched into a furious row about their 'horrible' experience on the show after placing behind Israel in the final.
This year's show was perhaps the most controversial ever, with some acts hiding messages in support of Palestine in their costumes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Dutch singer Joost Klein was also ordered to go home after being accused of intimidating behaviour by a female member of the production crew.
The Netherlands Songfestival said he had 'repeatedly indicated' he did not want to be filmed and that he 'did not touch the camera woman'.
In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, have addressed that some contestants lodged complaints.
'We spoke to a number of delegations during the event regarding various issues that were brought to our attention,' the statement said.
The EBU's governing bodies will, together with the heads of delegations, review the events surrounding the ESC in Malmö to move forward in a positive way and to ensure the values of the event are respected by everyone.'
Golan shared a New York Times article on her Instagram page in which she defiantly says she 'won't let anything break me'
Pro-Palestine Irish act Bambie Thug (top) launched into a furious row
Dutch singer Joost Klein (pictured) was sent home after being accused of intimidating behaviour by a female member of the production crew
Italy's Angelina Mango (pictured) is among the contestants who complained about the vibe
After the grand final, Bambie, who has publicly shared their pro-Palestinian views, accused Israel's national broadcaster, Kan, of 'inciting violence' against them during its coverage.
Meanwhile, the 27-nation European Union criticised organisers for their 'incoherence' in banning its flag from the concert hall during the final.
In an unusually sharp letter, EU Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas wrote to the Swiss-based European Broadcast Union, which organises the contest, saying its ban contributes to 'discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans'.
In a contest already full of controversy, the European Commission said it plans 'a very lively discussion' with the organisers over the ban.
Even though the 27-nation EU did not compete as such, many of its member states did, and the star-spangled blue flag is often seen as a unifier for all involved.
Mr Schinas wrote that 'such actions have cast a shadow over what is meant to be a joyous occasion for peoples across Europe and the world to come together in celebration'.
The flag is on show at countless events and across the EU nations and often flies alongside the national colours from tiny city halls to massive governmental buildings.
Mr Schinas was especially bitter since the ban came only a month ahead of EU-wide parliamentary elections where the EU as an institution is an object of fierce debate and often attacked by extremist parties.
'The incoherence in the EBU's stance has left myself and many millions of your viewers wondering for what and for whom the Eurovision Song Contest stands,' the letter said.
Israeli singer Golan is seen warming up for Eurovision by getting her entourage to boo her and yell 'Free Palestine' ahead of the final
People take to the streets to protest against Israel's Eurovision Song Contest participation
During the week-long contest, organisers were already roiled by the protests linked to the war in Gaza and Israel's participation in the event on top of the controversial disqualification of the Dutch participant over an incident which was never fully explained.
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with The Code, an operatic pop-rap ode to the singer's journey toward embracing a non-gender identity.
Golan, who was born in Israel but grew up in Russia, has faced death threats ahead of her performances at the Malmo Arena, while even her fellow contestants have been accused of bullying her during a press conference.
Greek singer Marina Satti caused a stir after she was seen dramatically yawning and pretending to fall asleep while Golan was speaking - as the singer became a lightning rod for criticism.
Satti can be seen with her head slumped on her hand, looking towards the crowd before closing her eyes and pretending to yawn.
She then puts her head in her arms and lays her head on the table in an apparent show of boredom while Golan continues to talk.
Meanwhile, Ireland's entry Bambie Thug, 31, revealed they cried with their team after discovering Israel had qualified for the grand finale.
One of the most talked about performers was Ireland's - who accused Eurovision bosses of 'not supporting' them amid a row with Israel over comments made about them by a broadcaster.
Bambie finished in a respectable sixth place, as Switzerland's non-binary star Nemo soared to victory.
But at a press conference after the final, they fumed about an incident with Israeli broadcaster Kan and the EBU's response, exclaiming: 'F*** the EBU.'
Armed police officers stand outside the hotel where the Dutch delegation was staying
Eden Golan representing Israel stands on stage during rehearsals ahead of the grand final
Bambie, who self-describes as a 'queer witch', told journalists in the press centre that Kan 'incited violence against me twice, three times', and that their team had brought it up to the EBU, but that the organiser had still not responded.
They accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken.
On Tuesday, a commentator on Kan warned viewers that Bambie's performance of their song, Doomsday Blue, would be 'the most scary' of the night, involving 'a lot of spells and black magic and dark clothing, Satanic symbols, and voodoo dolls'.
He went on to say that Bambie - who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views - liked to 'speak negatively about Israel', before adding: 'But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.'
The EBU said in a statement regarding the Kan commentary: 'We've spoken to KAN, the Israeli broadcaster, about this matter and reiterated the importance of all commentators respecting all the artists taking part in the competition and abiding by the rules and regulations of the event.'