French star stops rehearsal for Eurovision in protest against Israel – Irish Bambie Thug withdraws from flag parade, Dutch rapper Joost Klein is removed from lineup amid police investigation, and Norwegian juror resigns as 15,000 march in angry protest.

The Eurovision Song Contest has been marred by a series of crises just hours before the grand final is set to begin. Ireland’s entry, Bambie Thug, missed their final dress rehearsal due to a situation that needed urgent attention from the EBU, who is organizing the event. Dutch contender Joost Klein was axed from the contest after an incident involving a female crew member. French contestant Slimane used his performance to call for unity through music and love. Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the venue to demand the removal of the Israeli contestant, Eden Golan.

The turmoil continued with Marina Satti of Greece and Nemo of Switzerland missing the flag parade, and Allessandra Mele dropping out as Norway’s point allocation announcer due to the situation in Malmö. Bambie Thug criticized Israel’s participation in the contest, calling for a ceasefire and taking issue with other teams breaching EBU rules. Despite ongoing protests and disruptions, the show continued with heightened security measures in place.

Dutch singer Joost Klein’s disqualification was called disproportionate by Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, highlighting the incident that led to his removal from the contest. The EBU confirmed the decision, citing Klein’s behavior towards a team member as a breach of contest rules. Fans were disappointed by the outcome, with Klein missing two dress rehearsals raising concerns. Tensions further escalated as protesters demanded Israel’s exclusion, accusing the country of crimes against humanity.

Israeli contestant Eden Golan faced death threats and protests demanding her expulsion from the competition. Despite the challenges, Golan remained defiant and hoped her performance would unite people. Pro-Palestine demonstrators and even fellow contestants displayed their disapproval of Golan’s participation, resulting in a tense atmosphere at the venue. The competition continued with Golan’s resilience and determination to represent her country despite the negative reception.

The Eurovision final featured diverse performances from various European countries, ranging from emotional to eccentric. Favorites included Swiss singer Nemo and Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, addressing social and political issues in their songs. Olly Alexander represented Britain in the competition, aiming to secure the UK’s first Eurovision win in decades. Despite the pressure and challenges faced by contestants, Eurovision remained a platform for artists to express themselves and bring communities together through music and love.

In conclusion, the Eurovision Song Contest faced unprecedented challenges and turmoil in its latest edition. Despite protests, controversies, and disruptions, the show went on, highlighting the resilience and determination of participants to share their music and messages with the world. The competition’s ability to unite people through music and love prevailed, showcasing the power of art in challenging times. As the Eurovision finale concluded, it left a lasting impact on viewers and participants, emphasizing the importance of unity and community in a world facing various conflicts and divisions.