Eurovision fans ‘crushed’ as Loreen comes out against Israel boycott-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Loreen sparked outrage with her anti-Israel boycott comments (Picture: Getty)

Two-time Eurovision victor Loreen has stirred up outrage after saying she ‘doesn’t believe’ in Israel boycott.

The Swedish-Moroccan artist won in 2023 with her power ballad Tattoo, ensuring this year’s Eurovision would take place in Malmo, Sweden.

But Eurovision 2024 – where Olly Alexander is representing the UK with Dizzy -has been embroiled in controversy after Israel was allowed to remain in the competition.

This is despite calls for the country’s withdrawal due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in 35,000 deaths and 77,000 injured.

Outraged viewers have since campaigned to boycott the annual singing contest in solidarity with Palestine, calls that intensified after Israel’s entry Eden Golan progressed to the Grand Final with song Hurricane.

Now, the beloved Eurovision singer Loreen, 40, has come out against the boycott and urged fans to find ‘more constructive ways of changing what is happening’.

Loreen won Eurovision for a second time in Liverpool in 2023 (Picture: Reuters)

‘I do understand the frustration with situations that are happening in the world,’ the singer acknowledged in a new interview.

‘This is a community, a hub, a source of energy, music is being created, it creates happiness. To boycott a hub of love and creativity to make a statement? Is that what we’re doing?’ she explained to inews.

‘To really silence sound and music and the only language we have in common? So we’re going to shut that down to make a statement? For what?’

‘I don’t believe in that. We have to find other more constructive ways of changing what is happening. Because we do have a collective responsibility to do that.’

Loreen will be returning to the Eurovision stage tonight to perform her new single Forever.

Loreen rehearsing for her Malmo performance (Picture: Jessica Gow/TT/Shutterstock)

The Euphoria hitmaker, who first won Eurovision in 2012, also criticised those who booed Eden’s performance during the Jury Show.

‘It’s not the way. It’s not helping anybody. We are creators. Me, her, anybody,’ she told the BBC.

She went on to acknowledge that although she understood people thought they were ‘making a change’ it is not the right approach.

Loreen has a history of human rights activism. In 2012, when Eurovision was hosted in Azerbaijan, Loreen was the only contestant to meet with the wife of imprisoned human rights defender Ales Byalyatski.

As such, the music artist’s latest statement has left fans shocked and confused.

‘Every time these Eurovision artists open their mouth, they make it clear if they’re fine to overlook a genocide so long as it doesn’t damage their career,’ X user @thediyora posted.

‘well to say im disappointed is an understatement!’ another fan @yami_78 added.

‘A bit crushed. I really thought that she if anyone would be on the right side and see why a boycott is necessary. Guess the payroll is always more important to them.’ another added.

Although some fans tried to defend the artist.

‘In what way did she say she supports Israel in this? You guys are just looking for people to cancel! How is it wrong that she wants this community to love and respect each other. She’s right, Why should we shut up and run away?’ X user @EurovIsacESC wrote.

Israel’s Eden Golan will be performing in the finale (Picture: Getty/AFP)

In March 450 queer artists, Queers for Palestine, shared an open letter calling for Olly to withdraw from the competition in solidarity.

The 33-year-old artist, who has vocally been pro-Palestine, responded by saying he believed in the ‘unifying power of music’.

However, tensions are reaching a crescendo in the Malmo arena on the eve of the Grand Final. There is ongoing confusion over whether Netherlands act Joost Klein will perform tonight after an earlier incident.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protestors continue to gather in the city as Malmo police increase their surveillance.

Ireland’s entry, Bambie Thug, has continued to advocate for Palestine while on stage, and revealed they ‘cried’ when they discovered Israel had qualified for the final.

Watch Eurovision on BBC One at 8pm on Saturday, May 11.

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