EBU investigating 'violations' by Israel's Eurovision delegation

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is investigating alleged violations of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest by Israel's delegation, Ireland's contestant Bambie Thug has claimed.

The violations reportedly included comments made during Bambie Thug's performance as well as off-stage incidents during the dress rehearsal of the Grand Final.

At the time of the incident, the singer posted on their Instagram page: "There was a situation while we were waiting to go to stage for the flag parade rehearsal which I felt needed urgent attention from the EBU [The European Broadcasting Union].

"The EBU have taken this matter seriously and we have been in a discussion about what action needs to be taken. This means I have missed my dress rehearsal."

The investigation came after the 31-year-old artist approached the EBU over comments made by the Israeli television broadcaster KAN about their performance during the first semi-final, which Bambie Thug believed violated the rules.  

During the show, KAN brought up Bambie Thug's political views, claiming their feelings about Israel were "hostile".

Bambie Thug claimed the Israeli channel "incited violence against them" three times with the situation making them unable to show up to the completion’s rehearsal, which could have put their live final performance in jeopardy.

Tjeu has been a vocal pro-Palestine supporter and has spoken out against Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed over 36,000 people - 70 percent of whom were women and children.

The singer said that organisers "forced" the removal of pro-Palestine slogans such as 'Ceasefire Now' etched in body paint and written in Ogham script – an early Medieval alphabet.

Activists, musicians, and government officials had called for Israel to be excluded from the competition in the lead-up to Eurovision, over its war on Gaza.

The calls were rejected by the EBU on the grounds that the singing contest was a "non-political event", although in 2022 the EBU had excluded Russia from the contest over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Bambie Thug finished in sixth place in the competition overall, after receiving Ireland's highest score since 2000.

The contest was won by Switzerland, with 'The Code' by rapper and singer Nemo.

The New Arab has contacted EBU for comments.