Eurovision winner Loreen has reportedly refused to hand over her trophy to Israel’s Eden Golan if she wins this year’s competition.
It’s said Sweden’s two-time champ of the famous contest has told bosses she will break protocol and not pass her glass trophy to Israel’s performer following Israel’s war in Gaza. As the winner of last year’s contest in Liverpool, the 40-year-old singer is required to perform and do the handover.
It’s claimed Loreen would take to the stage and leave the trophy for the presenters welcome Israel onto the stage. This is in the event that they win the competition, which is taking place in Sweden on Saturday (May 11).
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A source told The Sun: “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.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“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 allegedly close to the contest also claimed that Loreen’s contract states that she cannot say anything defamatory about the European Broadcasting Union, which hosts the contest.
(Image: TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Ima)
Protests have been taking place over Israel’s entry into the competition. During her Hurricane rehearsal, Eden Golan faced boos and even cries of “free Palestine”.
Her track, a revamped version of her earlier song October Rain, is rumoured to be a nod to the Hamas attacks. Meanwhile, a member of Ireland’s Eurovision fan club has spoken out about his concerns of Israel overshadowing the contest.
(Image: PA)
Rory Flynn, 27, from Kildare, said: “We feel that it’s important to make our voices heard in the competition in the arena. Others are doing a full boycott and full respect to people who are doing a full boycott but we think it’s important that our voices are heard in the arena and around Malmo.”
He was among protesters in the city over the weekend, where climate activist Greta Thunberg was also seen. Daily Star has contacted representatives of Loreen for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
