Iceland contestants protest Israeli occupation of Palestine during Eurovision

Iceland's act held Palestinian flags aloft during the contest.

Iceland could face a punishment for their protest against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories during the Eurovision Song Contest. The country's act for the night, Hatari, were spotted holding Palestinian flags aloft in Tel Aviv on Saturday night while their points were being tallied for the contest. Prior to Saturday's final the group, who were clad in leather during their performance, jokingly challenged Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a "friendly match of traditional Icelandic trouser grip wrestling". https://twitter.com/JustinaMa_/status/1129884732337082369 After the protest, Eurovision released a statement confirming that the consequences would be discussed.

"In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, Hatari, the Icelandic act, briefly displayed small Palestinian banners whilst sat in the Green Room," read the statement.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and this directly contradicts the Contest rules. The banners were quickly removed and the consequences of this action will be discussed by the Reference Group (the Contest's executive board) after the Contest."

The 2019 contest was held in Israel following the country's win last year. The choice of host led to many pro-Palestine groups calling for the competition to be boycotted in the run up to the show. Iceland's protest came after Madonna made a direct reference to the Israel/Palestine conflict during her performance during the final last night. Her routine saw two dancers wearing Israeli and Palestinian flags holding hands during her set.