Dutch public broadcaster: We have noted Eurovision's disqualification decision!

A statement has been issued by the Netherlands regarding the disqualification from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

In a written statement from the Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS, a reaction was expressed against the decision of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of Eurovision, to remove the Dutch representative Klein from the competition.

Emphasizing that the Dutch public broadcaster has noted the disqualification decision made by the EBU, the statement said, "AVROTROS expresses its astonishment at the decision. We are deeply saddened by this situation."

The statement explained that, contrary to agreements, the Dutch artist was filmed last Thursday immediately after his performance while he was still leaving the stage and needed to head to the green room in a hurry, and that Klein had indicated at that moment that he did not want to be filmed repeatedly.

However, noting that the Dutch representative's request was not respected and that this situation led him to make a threatening gesture toward the camera, the statement added, "Joost did not touch the camerawoman. This incident was reported, and an investigation was subsequently launched by the EBU and the police."

Mentioning that extensive consultations were held with the EBU yesterday and today, the statement pointed out that AVROTROS had proposed various solutions, but the EBU still decided to disqualify Joost Klein.

The statement assessed, "AVROTROS finds this penalty very heavy and disproportionate. We stand for good behavior, but in our view, the penalty given is an expulsion decision that is not proportional to this incident."

Noting that AVROTROS is deeply disappointed on behalf of the millions of fans who were very excited for tonight, the statement said, "We are sorry. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe should not have ended this way."

EUROVISION HAD DISQUALIFIED THE NETHERLANDS HOURS BEFORE THE FINAL

It had been announced that Joost Klein, who was representing the Netherlands, was disqualified from the competition just hours before the final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

In a statement made by Eurovision organizers, it was stated that the behavior of the Dutch representative Klein toward a crew member was considered a "breach of competition rules." The statement used the phrase, "We are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff in the competition."

KLEIN HAD CRITICIZED ISRAEL'S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION

During the press conference held yesterday before the final competition to be held in Malmö, Sweden, a Polish journalist asked the Israeli representative Eden Golan, "whether she thought she was causing a safety risk for other participants by participating in the event."

Upon this, the Swedish host Jovan Radomir immediately intervened and told Golan that she "did not have to answer the question," and the Dutch representative Joost Klein loudly said, "Why not?"

Artists representing Belgium, Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Finland, and San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest had called for an "immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza."

Various segments from many European countries had called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest due to its attacks on Gaza.