The Eurovision Song Contest has unfortunately turned into a dramatic experience for Joost Klein and many fans.
Despite broad support from all over Europe, not everyone is equally positive about him. An outstanding critic is Henny Huisman.
72-year-old Huisman openly expressed his approval of the organization’s decision to remove Joost and explicitly stated his lack of respect for Klein. He believes that Joost has harmed the reputation of the Netherlands with his actions.
Henny was particularly outspoken on the platform X (formerly Twitter), where he strongly disapproved of Klein’s behavior with the Dutch flag.
He wrote: “Personally, I find Joost Klein’s odd behavior with the Dutch flag, including having it over your head, more of a reason for disqualification than yelling at an annoying camerawoman: ‘Get lost with your filming!’ You represent the Netherlands. RESPECT”
This prompted various reactions, including a follower noting that Joost ‘always sits with a flag over his head’. Henny’s reply was clear: “It remains disrespectful!”
Additionally, Evert Santegoeds, editor-in-chief of the magazine Privé, also expressed negative views towards Klein during a segment on Shownieuws.
If it were up to Santegoeds, AvroTros should have intervened during the incident with the flag with a reprimand: “Just act normal, okay!”
Kitty Herweijer, a columnist at AD, offers a different perspective. She speculates that the disqualification may have been an exaggerated reaction, but adds:
“If not, then it could be a good educational lesson for the Dutch that aggression is not a normal form of interaction in every country and that this has consequences.”
These varying opinions shed light on the complexity and emotions surrounding Klein’s participation and disqualification from the song contest.
