The European Commission has expressed anger over a ban on EU flags at the Eurovision Song Contest and demands explanations. #EuropeNews

The European Commission has expressed anger over a ban on EU flags at the Eurovision Song Contest and demands explanations.

The allegations, made by several spectators who attended the Grand Final on Saturday and were told off for carrying the flags, quickly turned viral and prompted a stern rebuke from Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas.

“Eurovision is first and foremost a celebration of European spirit, of our European diversity and talent. The EU flag is a symbol of this,” Schinas said on X on Saturday evening.

“Less than a month to the European elections, there should be no obstacles, big or small, to celebrating what unites all Europeans.”

  • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    91·
    1 month ago

    The reason given is that “he made a threatening gesture towards a camera woman”

    This is likely just an excuse to ban him because he spoke out against israel committing Genocide delegation not answering a question, as instant disqualification is extremely disproportionate for a gesture.

    It also served as a great distraction from israel being allowed to compete.

    • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      That was Eric Saade with the scarf on the arm, but it was my first idea aswell. Or was there a separate incident with Joost Klein that i wasnt able to find?

      • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        1 month ago

        I think you are right I might be confused. Joost Klein did speak up during a panel during Eurovision to make the israeli singer answer a question they were trying to dodge

        He also covered himself in the Dutch flag to be unrecognizable when they sat him next to israel

        I didn’t follow Eurovision too closely so I cannot confirm whether Klein spoke up against israel before Eurovision. For now I’ll correct my comment.

        The key point is that israel violated multiple rules themselves and harassed many contestants including the Irish one. So the decision to completely axe Joost for what appears to be a very minor infraction can almost not be explained by anything else that external motivations.