The musician was seen wearing a keffiyeh on his arm, a symbol commonly used to show support for Palestine.
In reponse, a representative of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a statement: “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.”
Despite facing criticism for its decision not to exclude Israel and worldwide protests condemning the organizers’ choice, the competition maintained its stance.
“Politics does influence the event from time to time,” said Paul Jordan, a contest enthusiast and researcher who was part of its communications team from 2015 to 2018, in an interview with CNN.
However, he noted, “the presence of Israel has become such a big issue (that) I think it’s going to overshadow the event.”
The news comes during Israel’s seizure and closure of the Rafah crossing in Gaza, which has raised concerns that already-scarce food and medical supplies will be further depleted and lead to a “catastrophic” humanitarian disaster.
I’ll add Eric Saade’s own response
Den sjalen fick jag av min pappa som liten grabb, för att aldrig glömma var familjen kommer ifrån. Då visste jag inte att den en dag skulle kallas ‘politisk symbol’. Det är som att kalla Dalahästen för politisk symbol. I mina ögon är det bara rasism. Jag ville bara vara inkluderande och bära något som är äkta för mig – men EBU verkar tycka att min etnicitet är kontroversiell. Det säger ingenting om mig, men allting om dem. Jag säger som årets ESC-slogan: United by music”.
Translated;
I got that shawl from my father as a little boy, to never forget where the family comes from. I didn’t know then that it would one day be called a ‘political symbol’. It’s like calling the Dala horse a political symbol. In my eyes, that’s just racism. I just wanted to be inclusive and wear something authentic to me – but the EBU seems to find my ethnicity controversial. It says nothing about me, but everything about them. I say as this year’s ESC slogan: United by music”.
OK now let’s try that with a different symbol:
I got that symbol of spirituality from my Indian father as a little boy. I didn’t know then that it would one day be called a ‘political symbol’. I just wanted to be inclusive and wear something authentic to me – but the EBU seems to find my ethnicity controversial. It says nothing about me, but everything about them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
I’m sorry your* family symbol is shared by Hamas. But to pretend that everyone will see that symbol and NOT think you’re pro-Palestinian is at best massively naive. You’re a grown-up now, so you have to start thinking and acting like one.
*addressing Eric, not Atomic.
You’re comparing a kefiya with a swastika?
Hang on a sec, let me check what I wrote…
No.
Checking what you wrote, yes.
Where exactly?
Are you purposely being obtuse? You wrote two sentences, do you want me to repeat those sentences? Do you have reading comprehension issues even deciphering your own words?
While it is true that there are (a) a comparison, (b) a keffiyeh, and ( c ) a swastika in my comment, the comparison is not between the symbols but between Eric wearing the former, and a hypothetical other performer wearing the latter, and both being supposedly unaware that their symbols would be regarded as political statements.
Palestine ≠ Hamas.
Since your entire argument hangs on us accepting the opposite, you should probably find a new one mate.True, but it seems fairly easy to find images of Hamas fighters wearing the keffiyeh. So it’s not entirely inaccurate to say it’s shared by Hamas.
"Guys please, can you just ignore the dead children for one minute? They’re already dead, it’s not like they care anyway.
We’re trying to make money here and your empathy for your fellow human beings is just mucking it all up. Please, please try to follow the apolitical rules we laid out and for the duration of the show and just stfu and give us money ok ? That’s all we want. Bring the money and leave your messy politics at home. Your complaining makes other people not want to give us more money.
Remember why we’re doing this. For culture and money. But mostly money. Thanks!"
Typical no win situation. Can’t pick a side without being criticised, can’t not pick a side for the same reason.
Only thing that both the Israeli government and Hamas can agree on is that the Palestinian people is expendable.
Hamas values Palestinians way more than israel, at least they signed a ceasefire deal to try and stop raffah from being bombed, while Israel ignored it and started bombing any way.
Both sides all you want, but one side has been pushing for a ceasefire for months, returning the hostages for a permanent stop to the slaughter, and one side has been ignoring those calls to continue there genocide.
Hamas attacked Israel, counting on the response being disproportionate and bloody. They wanted dead Palestinians and the Israeli government complied.
Hamas aren’t the good guys here. Neither is the Israeli government, just to be clear.
You can’t claim to be non political and kick Russia out for invading Ukraine but let Israel stay in while committing genocide.
That in itself is a political statement.
Russia wasn’t kicked out for invading Ukraine, just to be clear. Russia was kicked out because they no longer have a free press, which is a requirement for participation.
You can call it a pretense if you want, but that’s the official reason, not the war.
Can’t live your life sitting on the fence being friends with everyone. You gotta embrace your values and accept the consequences that some people will disdain you for it. If you can live with both the disdain and your consciousness, then you’ve picked the right place, i believe.
Fences are for birds.
