Dutch contestant Joost Klein was dropped from Eurovision just hours before the final on Saturday, May 11, following an incident unrelated to the controversy over Israel's participation amid the Gaza war. "Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night's Semi Final," the European Broadasting Union said in a statement. "While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest."
Swedish police told Agence France-Presse (AFP) they had questioned a man for alleged "intimidation." "The offence was committed in the Malmö arena on Thursday evening," police spokesman Pelle Vamstad told AFP.
Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros told AFP in an email that it found the move "disproportionate," adding that it it was "shocked by the decision." At the press conference after the second semi-final, Klein repeatedly covered his face with a Dutch flag, seemingly signifying he didn't agree with being placed next to the Israeli contestant Eden Golan.