The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Sunday that an unauthorized display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band at the Eurovision song contest could draw "punishment" from the event's organizers.
During the point-tally of Saturday's grand finale, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulásson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos.
In earlier remarks to the Eurovision fan site wiwibloggs, Hannigan had criticized Israel's settlements and what he described as "apartheid" in occupied Palestinian territory.
The flag display, briefly caught on the live TV relay of the 41-country contest, marked the only disruption of a show that had been a focus of anti-Israel boycott calls, and drew a swift rebuke from the European Broadcasting Union.
"The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules," Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation CEO Eldad Koblenz told Ynet TV.
A European Broadcast Union spokesman declined direct comment, saying the matter was under discussion.
EBU rules allow for disqualifying contestants who do not abide by requirements for a "non-political event." Asked what other penalties might be available, the spokesman said: "In the past, there have been financial sanctions for rule breaches." He did not elaborate on these cases.
Hatari's song "Hate Will Prevail," during which the leather-and-latex-clad performers thrashed around a grenade-shaped globe as flames shot from the stage, came in 10th out of the 26 finalists.
Their flag display did not impress the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, which had urged countries to shun the Tel Aviv Eurovision. None did.
"Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line #Hatari," the campaigners said on Twitter.
Koblenz was more upbeat about a political display by Madonna, whose much-anticipated, two-song guest performance in the final featured two backup dancers, with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs, walking in an embrace.
"We are very happy that she came, certainly in a reality when very few artists are prepared to come to Israel," he said, though "perhaps she's had more successful shows."
The EBU said that Madonna had not cleared that part of the act with broadcasters and "was advised as to the nonpolitical nature of the event."
Madonna later defended the stunt on Twitter, sharing a clip of the dancers and writing, "I am grateful for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world."
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation had no advance notice of Hatari's or Madonna's flag displays, Koblenz said: "That's the price of a live broadcast."
