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EUROVISION winner Loreen has refused to hand over the trophy to Israel’s Eden Golan if she wins tonight.

The two-time champion has told producers she will break protocol and not do the regular handover due to the nation’s conflict in Gaza.

Former Eurovision winner Loreen has issued a major ultimatum to bosses behind the scenes
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Former Eurovision winner Loreen has issued a major ultimatum to bosses behind the scenesCredit: Splash
The two-time champion is legally bound to perform and present the trophy on stage
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The two-time champion is legally bound to perform and present the trophy on stageCredit: PA
Behind the scenes tensions have risen as Loreen refuses to hand the trophy to Eden Golan (pictured) if Israel win tonight
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Behind the scenes tensions have risen as Loreen refuses to hand the trophy to Eden Golan (pictured) if Israel win tonightCredit: AFP

Loreen, 40, is legally bound to perform in this year’s competition and pass over the glass trophy to this year’s winner, despite calls to boycott, following her win in Liverpool last year with Tattoo.

The star has publicly insisted the contest should go ahead to bring positivity to the world.

However, behind the scenes tensions have been growing over several weeks in the run-up to tonight’s grand final.

Speaking to The Sun earlier this week, Loreen said: “Positive attracts positive and negative attracts negative.

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"If we were to shut this hub of positive energy, punishing millions for the distortion somewhere else, that would be so destructive."

A source said: "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.

"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 close to the competition also go on to say that her contract clearly states she is not allowed to say anything defamatory about the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest.

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Loreen is set to perform her new single Forever at the event in Malmo Arena, Sweden, as well as last year’s winning entry Tattoo as part of the interval act during tonight’s final.

The Sun has contacted Loreen's representatives for comment.

Tensions have been rising in the lead-up to the event, with the entry for the Netherlands, Joost Klein, being withdrawn from the contest due to a backstage altercation, in which police are now involved.

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This afternoon, entries for Ireland, Switzerland and Greece refused to take part in the flag parade during the final rehearsal for the show, which is typically watched by more than 160million people.

France’s entry Slimane also paused his performance to make a speech promoting peace.

He said: “When I was a child, I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream to be a singer to sing peace […] We need to be united by music, yes, but with love and peace.”

Eurovision Song Contest entries 2024

Here are all of the acts taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Finalists:

Out:

20-year-old Eden Golan is representing Israel amid the conflict with Hamas in Gaza
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20-year-old Eden Golan is representing Israel amid the conflict with Hamas in GazaCredit: AFP
She will take to the stage to perform the emotional track titled 'Hurricane'
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She will take to the stage to perform the emotional track titled 'Hurricane'Credit: AP
Loreen first won the annual singing competition in 2012 with her song, 'Euphoria'
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Loreen first won the annual singing competition in 2012 with her song, 'Euphoria'Credit: AP
She will take to the Malmo Arena stage after publicly insisting the competition should still go ahead amid previous calls for a boycott
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She will take to the Malmo Arena stage after publicly insisting the competition should still go ahead amid previous calls for a boycottCredit: Reuters
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