CNN —Switzerland’s Nemo won a chaotic and politically fraught Eurovision Song Contest, triumphing in a competition in Sweden that was upstaged by controversy over the presence of Israel.
But organizers the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) sharply defended Israel’s presence, and insisted the contest is non-political – a line that became increasingly untenable as artists, broadcasters and fans clashed over the presence of Israel’s singer Eden Golan.
Ultimately a competitor was disqualified, just hours before the event – the Dutch contestant Joost Klein, who was kicked out of the final after an “incident” backstage.
Ireland’s Bambie Thug told CNN in the build-up to the event that it was “the wrong decision” not to exclude Israel, as Russia had been two years ago.
But for all the celebratory scenes that closed the show, the EBU will be relieved to see a rocky week conclude.
Persons:
Switzerland’s Nemo, Eden Golan, Joost Klein, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, ”, …
Organizations:
CNN, Israel’s, Malmo, Eurovision, Protesters, European Broadcasting Union
Locations:
Sweden, Israel, Gaza, Russia, Swedish