Finnish Eurovision icon responds to backlash for dancing with Israel act-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

Finland’s Eurovision fan favourite Käärijä has responded to claims that he made a ‘political statement’ by dancing in a video with Israel hopeful Eden Golan.

Europe’s biggest singing competition is currently taking place in Malmo, Sweden, and the week has been dominated by headlines concerning Golan’s performances as Israel qualified for Saturday’s final.

The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has resulted in calls for Israel to be banned from the competition this year, with some viewers saying they will be boycotting out of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

After being made to change the title and lyrics of her song, Golan, 20, was jeered by the crowd during this week’s Jury Show, with some fans shouting ‘Free Palestine’ as she sang.

Now, last year’s Finnish entry Käärijä, who finished in second place behind winner Loreen, has responded after receiving backlash for dancing in a video with Golan that was posted on social media.

In the video, Golan and Käärijä, 30, whose real name is Jere Pöyhönen, can be seen dancing together as they sing his song Cha Cha Cha, which went down a storm at last year’s event.

Eden Golan was videoed dancing with Käärijä earlier this week (Picture: Instagram)

The clip, which also shows the pair shaking hands and hugging, was posted to social media by Golan herself – now Käärijä has responded after being hit with the backlash.

In a statement posted on Instagram, he said: ‘I happened to meet Israel’s Eurovision representative today, and a video was filmed of us. It was then posted on social media without my permission.

‘Despite my requests for its removal, it has not been taken down. I would like to clarify and emphasise that the video is not a political statement or an endorsement of any kind.’

Käärijä was last year’s Eurovision runner-up (Picture: Vesa Moilanen/Shutterstock)

Golan’s performances have been jeered by crowds at Eurovision this week (Picture: Jessica Gow/TT/Shutterstock)

Käärijä quickly put out a response statement (Picture: Instagram)

The song Golan will be performing for Israel in Saturday’s final is now titled Hurricane after originally being called October Rain – the original title and lyrics were deemed to be a political message alluding to the Israel-Hamas war, which is against the competition’s rules.

Despite the changes, loud boos were heard as Golan performed the song for the Eurovision Jury, with one Twitter user describing the atmosphere as ‘horrible’, saying that you could ‘feel the tension’ in the Malmo Arena.

The video of Golan and Käärijä is the latest episode in the ongoing saga regarding Israel’s involvement in the singing competition this year, which has received widespread criticism.

Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza have drawn international attention – the United Kingdom’s entry Olly Alexander has faced pressure to pull out of the competition this year.

The Years & Years singer, who will be performing the song Dizzy for the UK, has said he was on the edge of a ‘breakdown’, admitting he was ‘ashamed’.

He told The Times: ‘I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely… I’ve just felt really sad and distressed. But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.’

Keep up with Eurovision across Metro.co.uk and the BBC. Watch the live final from 8pm on Saturday on BBC One.

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