Eurovision bosses slammed over responses to Bambie Thug and Eric Saade’s Palestine messages | indy100

Related video: Bambie Thug says they will ‘stand out’ to make Eurovision final

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The Eurovision Song Contest has always insisted it is ‘non-political’, despite taking the decision in 2022 to block Russia from competing over its illegal invasion of Ukraine and, this year, warning fans not to bring the Palestinian flag to the event in Malmö, Sweden.

It comes amid the ongoing bombardment of Gaza by Israel, which is being allowed to compete in the contest, sparking fury and calls for a boycott of the event among Palestine supporters.

And the controversy has continued off the back of the first semi-final on Tuesday, when Swedish singer Eric Saade - part of the opening performance - was seen holding a Palestinian scarf known as a keffiyeh.

Saade represented Sweden in the 2011 contest and is of Palestinian heritage.

In a statement responding to the performance, a spokesperson for organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a live TV show.

“All performers are made aware of the rules of the contest, and we regret that Eric Saade chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event.”

And Saade wasn’t the only performer to make headlines over their stance on Palestine, as Irish contestant Bambie Thug revealed they were ordered to change their makeup for their performance of “Doomsday Blue”.

Bambie had planned to wear messages on their costume in the ancient language of Ogham, spelling out the words ‘ceasefire’ and “freedom for Palestine”.

However, in the press conference for qualifiers of the first semi-final (of which Ireland is one of them), Bambie revealed they were made to change the message.

“It was very important for me because I’m pro-justice and pro-peace. Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to “crown the witch” only, in order from the EBU,” they said.

Saade and Bambie Thug’s actions have been praised by social media users, who also condemned the EBU’s response:

Very proud of Bambie for standing up for what's right. The ebu are hypocritical to say the least for making Bambie change the Ogham script which they undoubtedly would've had no clue about unless someone deciphered it for them #CrownTheWitch
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BAMBIE CALLED OUT THE EBU FOR THE PALESTINE CENSORSHIP \u2728\ufe0f\u2728\ufe0f
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Very intense but very relevant question answered by Bambie really really well. \n\nEBU are you not ashamed?
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no way that Bambie Thug EXPOSED EBU for forcing them to delete the pro-Palestinians symbols in their performance OMFG MONARCH
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Apparently, Bambie Thug had integrated some pro-palestinian messages in their costume calling for a ceasefire, but had to remove it by order of the @EBU_HQ. I'm so disgusted. #Eurovision2024 #BanIsraelFromEurovision \ud83c\udf49
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Eric Saade getting dragged bcs he is wearing a piece of clothing which is literally PART of HIS OWN heritage, when everyone else is allowed to wear what ever traditional clothing they want. just leaving this here.
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Eric Saade gets invited to perform, he accepts, wears his cultural identity on his sleeve and suddenly that is the issue? rather a certain country being there?
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Eric Saade\u2019s grandparents were exiled from Palestine during the Nakba, and his father had to flee Lebanon in the 80s due to Israeli forces. Today he did this \ud83d\udd25
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everything kalush orchestra were allowed to say & how celebrated their participation was contrasted with eric saade and bambie thug being censored for wearing a piece of cloth and having writtings in an ancient language no one understands really puts things into perspective
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Eric Saade being on stage on stage with his keffiyeh, being a proud Palestinian and showing such while his country is going through a genocide is one of the most impressive things I've seen. I hate that the EBU are allowing that country to compete
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Eurovision continues with the second semi-final on Thursday and the grand final on Saturday.

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