Investigation into ‘incident’ with Joost Klein at the Eurovision Song Contest, no rehearsal for the time being

NOS News•today, 3:07 PM•Amended today, 4:21 PM

Joost Klein, the Dutch participant in the Eurovision Song Contest, will not rehearse for tomorrow’s final until further notice. The organization of the event is investigating an “incident” involving Klein.

“We are investigating an incident that has been reported to us,” said a statement from the organizing European Broadcasting Union (EBU). AVROTROS confirms that an investigation is underway. “We are awaiting the outcome of this investigation and do not want to say anything about it until then.”

It is not clear what type of incident this is, the EBU does not wish to comment further. Joost Klein qualified last night with Europapa for the final of the event, which will be held in the Swedish city of Malmö.

It seems that the Dutchman’s rehearsal was canceled at the last minute. Klein was still present at the so-called flag parade at the beginning.

This is an image of that turnout earlier today:

Joost Klein’s last moment during the Eurovision Song Contest rehearsals

At the rehearsal itself he would act as the fifth act. Technicians were already ready at the front of the room with the equipment that the singer would use on stage, but then the plan changed and the props for Israel came onto the stage. Nothing changed with the rest of the program.

Last night there was a striking moment at the press conference after the semi-final. Journalists were allowed to ask questions to Joost Klein and the other winners of the evening, including the Israeli participant Eden Golan.

Israel’s participation leads to protests from people who believe that the country should not participate because of the war in Gaza. There are demonstrations at the singer’s hotel, among other things.

A Polish journalist asked Golan whether she had considered that her presence endangers other artists and the public. The press officer then said that she did not have to answer that.

“Why not?” responded Joost Klein. When he asked that question, he had his head under a Dutch flag, but took it down during his response. The Israeli singer then replied. The moment was not clearly visible on official images, but was recorded by someone in the audience.

But it is not clear whether the investigation now initiated by the EBU is specifically about this incident.