It’s meant to be a joyous celebration of European musical kitsch, but instead, this year’s Eurovision was the most political ever.
The buildup to the annual glitz fest was overshadowed by the Gaza-Israel conflict, with activists calling on organisers to ban the Jewish state.
Huge pro-Palestine protests, attended by the likes of Greta Thunberg, have taken place in the host city of Malmo in Sweden – forcing Israeli singer Eden Golan to take shelter in her hotel guarded by armed police.
Many had hoped things would settle down by the time the final rolled round, but the big night was marred with controversy – with one act disqualified just hours before they were due to take to the stage amid a police investigation.
From Iolanda’s manicure to Eric Saade wearing a keffiyeh, MailOnline takes a look at all the secret pro-Palestine messages acts were sending to viewers at home.
At the end of Portugal’s performance, singer Iolanda simply said ‘peace will prevail’ and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art – the Palestinian Keffiyeh
Portugal’s Iolanda
At the end of Portugal’s performance, singer Iolanda simply said ‘peace will prevail’ and reiterated the message with her choice of nail art – the Palestinian Keffiyeh.
The singer performed at the contests final, which was held at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden, with her song Grito after making it through Tuesday’s first semi-final.
Ireland’s Bambie Thug
Ireland’s very own Bambie Thug shouted a defiant message after their performance at the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The singer said: ‘Love will triumph over hate!’
Bambie slammed the Eurovision Song Contest organisers, claiming they did not support them after Israeli TV branded their semi-final performance ‘Satanic’.
The ‘ouji pop’ star secured a sixth place finish in Ireland’s first grand final of the music event since 2018, one place behind Israel’s Eden Golan, whose entry sparked anger from pro-Palestine protesters amid the war in Gaza.
Bambie, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views, 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 liked to ‘speak negatively about Israel’, before adding: ‘But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.’
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.
‘[The EBU] waited to the last minute, we still haven’t gotten statement back to us, allowed us to be scapegoats, allowed us to be the spokesperson for standing up for ourselves,’ Bambie said.
Ireland’s very own Bambie Thug shouted a defiant message after their performance at the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest
Australia’s Fred Leone
Australia’s entry Electric Fields in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has revealed they paid homage to Palestine during the semi-finals.
Fred Leone, a Yidaki player who joined Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross on stage for their performance in Malmo, Sweden, said on Instagram a symbol of a watermelon on his chest was a pro-Palestinian message.
The fruit has become associated with Palestine because its colours match the state’s flag.
Sharing a picture of himself performing at the semi-finals, Fred wrote: ‘That’s a watermelon on my chest. From the river to the sea! 200 million people watched and celebrated while innocent children, mothers and fathers die by the thousands in a GENOCIDE.
‘I’m down with Jewish people. Israel is not Judaism. Israel doesn’t represent Jewish people. I am not down with fucking GENOCIDE. My Great Grand Father survived three massacres. Our families across so called Australia are the survivors of an on going genocide.
‘This was a personal decision. What comes of this no matter how detrimental to my career as an artist is solely dependant on those that hold the power. All my love to the children of Palestine❤️. You can disagree that’s fine but history will condemn you as [an idiot].’
Australia’s entry Electric Fields in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has revealed they paid homage to Palestine during the semi-finals
Italy’s Angelina Mango
Representing Italy this year was Angelina Mango, who made a subtle suggestion she was pro-palestine.
The singer-songwriter performed her song La Noia at the final which took place on Saturday, following success at the semi-final.
One fan pointed this out on social media platform X, penning: ‘Wearing a black dress and running with Italy’s flag next to her, making it look like the Palestinian flag’
Representing Italy this year was Angelina Mango, who made a subtle suggestion she was pro-palestine
Sweden’s Eric Saade
Eurovision organisers rebuked one of the Eurovision 2024 opening acts for wearing a keffiyeh during the first semi-final last night.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, who was one of three former contestants opening the contest in Malmo, tied the scarf – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East – around his wrist.
Saade, who is of Palestinian origin, came third for Sweden at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Israel’s involvement this time around.
A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the event, 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.’
Saade was joined by fellow song contest alums Eleni Foureira, who came second in 2018 for Cyprus, and Chanel, who finished third for Spain in 2022, when he appeared with the keffiyeh wrapped around his wrist in clear view.
Swedish singer Eric Saade, who was one of three former contestants opening the contest in Malmo, tied the scarf – which has become a symbol of support for Palestine amid the conflict in the Middle East – around his wrist
