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By Billie Schwab Dunn
Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter
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A Eurovision singer has issued a statement after a video of him dancing with an Israeli artist was posted online.
Jere Mikael Pöyhönen—known professionally as Käärijä—represented Finland in the 2023 edition of the song contest with the song "Cha Cha Cha." He finished in second place after receiving 526 points but won the public vote. On May 9, Pöyhönen took the Eurovision stage once again during the second semifinal in Malmö, Sweden, after event organizers decided to prepare a lineup of all-star participants.
In a video that has been posted to social media, the singer can be seen headbanging with Eden Golan, Israel's 2024 Eurovision contestant, whose inclusion in the event has sparked controversy amid Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. In the clip, Golan counts down from three before singing a line from "Cha Cha Cha," and she and Pöyhönen throw their heads back and forth.
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According to the Daily Mail, the video was posted on social media by Golan; Kan, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation; and the official Eurovision X account. At the time of writing, the video could no longer be seen on these accounts. However, numerous X users have shared it on the platform, with one post receiving more than 1 million views.
In an Instagram story posted Thursday, Pöyhönen shared a statement distancing himself from the video, saying he had requested its removal.
"I happened to meet Israel's Eurovision representative today, and a video was filmed of us. It was then posted to social media without my permission," Pöyhönen wrote on Instagram.
"Despite my requests for its removal, it has not been taken down. I would like to clarify and emphasize that the video is not a political statement or an endorsement of any kind."
Newsweek has contacted Golan and a spokesperson for Pöyhönen for comment via Instagram and email, respectively.
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There has been mounting criticism of Israel's participation in this year's music competition as the country continues its military strikes in Gaza. According to the Associated Press, more than 1 million civilians have sheltered in Rafah since the war broke out in October after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel.
Gaza health officials said more than 34,500 Palestinians were killed and more than 70,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began, AP reported. Hamas' initial attack killed about 1,200 people and resulted in almost 250 hostages being taken.
Golan sang her song "Hurricane" at the Eurovision Song Contest's Jury Show performance Thursday, the competition's second semifinal. She performed at the host city's Malmö Arena. Videos posted on X have shown disgruntled members of the crowd booing and chanting "free Palestine" during her performance.
Thousands of protesters, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, walked through the streets of Malmö calling for Israel to be removed from the competition because of the war in Gaza. Despite the protests and jeers from the Eurovision audience, Golan qualified for the final.
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