Press reviews
“The ESC wants to keep politics away – that hasn’t been successful. And it won’t be successful anymore.”
Eden Golan from Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) final
© Jens Büttner / DPA
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was more politically charged than ever and overshadowed by protests and boos against Israel. The German newspapers criticize the EBU – but also see hope. The press review of the ESC.
Overshadowed by protests against Israel, Swiss starter Nemo withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) won. On Sunday night, Nemo won with 591 points against the Croatian Baby Lasagna, who was favorite in the betting offices and who scored a total of 547 points. Germany came twelfth. On the sidelines of the event there were protests against the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli singer Eden Golan was booed.
Nemo is the first non-binary winner of the ESC, which is taking place for the 68th time, and, according to his own words, feels neither man nor woman. The 24-year-old Swiss starter who lives in Berlin also tells a personal story with “The Code”.
Demos and boos against Israel at the ESC – this is what the German press commented
Because of the protests against Israel’s participation in the ESC, the music almost faded into the background despite numerous strong contributions. After repeated calls for Israel to be excluded from the ESC during the competition in Malmö, several thousand people again joined an anti-Israel demonstration on Saturday.
In front of the Malmö Arena, the demonstrators shouted “Shame on you” at the spectators as they entered the hall, as a reporter from the AFP news agency reported on Saturday. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was among the protesters, was taken away by the police.
The heated atmosphere was also reflected in the competition: the Israeli Golan, who was under increased police protection in Malmö, was whistled and booed. Some spectators left the arena in protest during her performance.
This is how the German newspapers comment on this politically charged ESC:
“Swabian newspaper”: “Singer Eden Golan was booed by the audience and cut by competitors. Outside, on the streets of Malmö, demonstrators celebrated Hamas. Some shouted that the Jews should go ‘back to Poland’. In a scene that likes to present itself as diverse and cosmopolitan, this is disturbing behavior. It is reminiscent of the anti-Israel protests at universities in Germany and other countries. There, too, it’s about boycott, not dialogue. Anger and catcalls in Malmö were directed at a young woman of just 20 years old. The organizers of the song contest failed to provide Eden Golan with a safe environment. The audience voting showed that the mood beyond Malmö is different: Israel came in second place in the global audience vote, and even at the top among German viewers. This shows that anyone who calls for boycotts and paints things in black and white doesn’t speak for the majority.”
“A really nice birthday present”: This is how Thorsten Schorn got the job as the new ESC commentator
05:47 minutes
“Frankfurter Neue Presse”: “Has the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which fended off attacks with great effort and enforced its rules in the face of much criticism, defended a fairytale world of tolerant Europe that no longer exists? At some moments it seemed that way. But it is worth defending the basic idea of the ESC against the growing enemies of the open society. Ideally, it can convey a sense of community that is in danger of being lost, especially in difficult global political situations.”
“General newspaper”: “The ESC, as we experienced it in the chaotic days of Malmö, was not the peaceful, happy music festival that it would have been; world political events overshadowed the event. There was no sign of the motto ‘United by Music’; instead, some participants and point presenters also took part in agitation and hatred. (…) An unworthy spectacle that is to be strongly condemned – hypocritical by all those who support this, but at the same time call for love and peace in the ESC bubble. (…) The ESC wants to keep politics away – that didn’t work. And it won’t work anymore.”
“Frankenpost”: “Not least the agitators on the street have to realize that something went wrong with this ESC. Because what would an Israel in the hands of Hamas be? Nothing would remain – to give just one example – of democracy and all the beautiful freedoms that millions of people enjoy in the metropolis of Tel Aviv. The ESC 2024 lacked lightness, liberality, cosmopolitanism, what united, respect, and a clear view. ‘United by music’ was little to nothing. Until Switzerland won in the end. The country that likes to behave neutrally. But interpreter Nemo positioned himself: ‘I hope that this competition lives up to its promise and ensures peace and dignity for everyone in this world.’ And as if in defiance, Israel came fifth. This must feel like a victory with all the protesters, who are probably a minority.”
“Rhine Palatinate”: “International music and sporting events do not take place in a vacuum. Anyone responsible for declaring that such an event is apolitical, anyone who tries to ignore the global political situation – which is unfortunately quite disturbing at the moment – is shirking responsibility and making it worse There may still be conflicts. That’s exactly what happened at the ESC in Malmö.”
“Frankfurter Rundschau”: “The triumph of the non-binary Nemo can be seen as evidence of the deep basic tolerance of a broad European majority towards queer lifestyles. The expulsion of the Dutchman Joost Klein for misconduct towards a camerawoman also shows: the threshold of tolerance in questions of toxic masculinity has dropped. A good thing. At the center of the But the days of chaos in Malmö were different. It is unbelievable that a Jewish singer like Eden Golan has to listen to whistles and boos in the ESC arena just because she is Israeli. It is unbelievable that a mob including climate activist Greta Thunberg is a terrorist glorify and show off his historical ignorance. It is unbelievable that ESC colleagues shunned, bullied and treated Eden Golan like a leper just to please every single one of Eden Golan “If you booed or made a theatrical mockery of yourself at the song contest, be ashamed of yourself.”
“Lausitzer Rundschau”: “The political innocence of the former Grand Prix is long gone. There isn’t much left of the former love song competition. Since the 1990s, more and more participants have included political messages in their songs. And the hijacking of competition by the queer movement can certainly be understood as politicization. It is in the nature of international competitions that they are used to promote political messages because of the global attention, Olympic Games as well as football World Cups. In the current case of the ESC for criticizing Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. But viewers also use voting to make political statements. Even if it didn’t win in the end, this year no other country received top marks from television audiences more often than Israel.”