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Eurovision plunged into further crisis as champion Loreen gives shock ultimatum to bosses over Israel
She is legally required to perform and present the trophy after winning the contest last year
EUROVISION winner Loreen has refused to hand over the trophy to Israel’s Eden Golan if she wins tonight.
The two-time champion has told producers she will break protocol and not do the regular handover due to the nation’s conflict in Gaza.
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Loreen, 40, is legally bound to perform in this year’s competition and pass over the glass trophy to this year’s winner, despite calls to boycott, following her win in Liverpool last year with Tattoo.
The star has publicly insisted the contest should go ahead to bring positivity to the world.
However, behind the scenes tensions have been growing over several weeks in the run-up to tonight’s grand final.
Speaking to The Sun earlier this week, Loreen said: “Positive attracts positive and negative attracts negative.
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"If we were to shut this hub of positive energy, punishing millions for the distortion somewhere else, that would be so destructive."
A source said: "She intends to make her position clear over her stance on Israel around her carefully choreographed and graceful trophy handover which will show the world what side of history she really stands on.
"There is a plan in place for Loreen to step on stage, leave the trophy on a plinth and depart before the presenters welcome Israel to the stage, should they win the coveted title."
Sources close to the competition also go on to say that her contract clearly states she is not allowed to say anything defamatory about the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest.
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Loreen is set to perform her new single Forever at the event in Malmo Arena, Sweden, as well as last year’s winning entry Tattoo as part of the interval act during tonight’s final.
The Sun has contacted Loreen's representatives for comment.
Tensions have been rising in the lead-up to the event, with the entry for the Netherlands, Joost Klein, being withdrawn from the contest due to a backstage altercation, in which police are now involved.
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This afternoon, entries for Ireland, Switzerland and Greece refused to take part in the flag parade during the final rehearsal for the show, which is typically watched by more than 160million people.
France’s entry Slimane also paused his performance to make a speech promoting peace.
He said: “When I was a child, I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream to be a singer to sing peace […] We need to be united by music, yes, but with love and peace.”
Eurovision Song Contest entries 2024
Here are all of the acts taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Finalists:
- United Kingdom: Olly Alexander - Dizzy
- Sweden: Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable (2023 winning country)
- France: Slimane - Mon amour
- Germany: ISAAK - Always On The Run
- Italy: Angelina Mango - La Noia
- Spain: Nebulossa - ZORRA
- Serbia: TEYA DORA - RAMONDA
- Portugal: iolanda - Grito
- Slovenia: Raiven - Veronika
- Lithuania: Silvester Belt - Luktelk
- Ireland: Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue
- Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria
- Luxembourg: TALI - Fighter
- Finland: Windows95man - No Rules!
- Croatia: Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim
- Cyprus: Silia Kapsis - Liar
- Armenia: LADANIVA - Jako
- Austria: Kaleen - We Will Rave
- Estonia: 5MIINUST x Puuluup - (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
- Georgia: Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter
- Greece: Marina Satti - ZARI
- Israel: Eden Golan - Hurricane
- Latvia: Dons - Hollow
- Norway: Gåte - Ulveham
- Netherlands: Joost Klein - Europapa
- Switzerland: Nemo - The Code
Out:
- Poland: LUNA - The Tower
- Iceland: Hera Björk - Scared of Heights
- Moldova: Natalia Barbu - In The Middle
- Azerbaijan: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov - Özünlə Apar
- Australia: Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)
- Malta: Sarah Bonnici - Loop
- Albania : BESA - TITAN
- Czechia: Aiko - Pedestal
- Denmark: SABA - SAND
- San Marino: MEGARA - 11:11
- Belgium: Mustii - Before The Party's Over
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