In a controversial turn of events, Eurovision organizers have reprimanded Swedish singer Eric Saade for wearing a Palestinian scarf during the opening act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The incident occurred during the first semi-final night of the competition in Malmo, where Saade, along with two former contestants, was seen wearing a keffiyeh as a symbol of support for Palestine and a protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) recently made the decision to forbid contestants, performers, and fans from displaying Palestinian flags and pro-Palestine symbols during the contest. According to the Göteborgs-Posten newspaper, anyone attempting to enter the Malmo Arena with a Palestinian flag or a banner containing a political message will be stopped, and the flags or banners will be confiscated.

This is not the first time that Eurovision has faced political controversies. In 2022, Russia was barred from participating in the competition in Italy due to their "special military operation" in Ukraine, following threats from Finland to withdraw their performer. As a result, the EBU decided to exclude Russia from future competitions.

In 2019, Iceland's Eurovision act, Hatari, raised Palestinian flags during their appearance in Israel, leading to the EBU imposing a fine on Iceland. The Icelandic Society of Authors and Composers (FTT) publicly urged the country's public broadcaster, RUV, not to participate in the Eurovision contest unless Israel was denied participation on the same grounds as Russia in the previous competition.

These incidents highlight the ongoing sensitivity surrounding political matters in the Eurovision Song Contest. The EBU's attempt to maintain a politically neutral platform has drawn criticism from those who argue for freedom of expression. However, the organizers remain firm in their stance, aiming to prevent any potential disruptions to the event and maintain its focus on music and cultural exchange.

Meanwhile, controversy surrounding Israel's participation in this year's contest continues to grow. Before qualifying for the final, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly wished the country's representative, Golan, good luck, stating that she had "already won." This comment has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the potential politicization of the competition.

As Eurovision progresses, it remains to be seen whether further political incidents will arise and how organizers will navigate these challenges while preserving the integrity of the beloved music contest.