Israel in spotlight at Eurovision semifinal as pro-Palestinian protests loom

Israel in spotlight at Eurovision semifinal as pro-Palestinian protests loom
Eden Golan, representing Israel, performs on stage during the first rehearsal of the second semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at Malmo Arena, in Malmo, Sweden, May 8, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 09 May 2024
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Israel in spotlight at Eurovision semifinal as pro-Palestinian protests loom

Israel in spotlight at Eurovision semifinal as pro-Palestinian protests loom
  • The 68th version of the song contest takes place amid protests and boycotts over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel

MALMO, Sweden: The second semifinal of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Sweden on Thursday, with Israel’s performance expected to draw attention due to large pro-Palestinian protests planned in host city Malmo.
Some 100,000 visitors have gathered in Malmo in southern Sweden for the annual kitsch-fest, which is watched by some 200 million people worldwide.
Thursday’s semifinal will feature two of the favorites to win, Switzerland’s Nemo with the song “The Code” and Joost Klein of the Netherlands with the song “Europapa,” as well as outsider Eden Golan of Israel with her song “Hurricane.”
The 68th version of the song contest takes place amid protests and boycotts over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded but asked Israel to modify the lyrics of its original song “October Rain,” which appeared to reference the Hamas attack.
Tens of thousands are expected at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Malmo at 1300 GMT on Thursday. A smaller nearby pro-Israel demonstration is scheduled for 1600 GMT.
Gaza-born Swedish student and Palestinian activist Bachar Garar, 23, will protest what he calls double standards, pointing to EBU’s decision to ban Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“After everything that happened, how they’ve treated Russia after what happened in Ukraine, they just choose to turn a blind eye to what’s happening in Gaza. So that’s hypocrisy for us and we’re trying to put an end to it,” he said.
Israeli contestant Golan, 20, says she hopes her performance will help unite people.
“It’s a super important moment for us, especially this year,” she told Reuters in an interview this week. “I feel honored to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country.”
At the first semifinal on Tuesday, thousands of fans in quirky and glittery outfits, many dressed up as their favorite contestant or in their national colors, saw 10 performers, including favorites Croatia and Ukraine, qualify for Saturday’s final.
Swedish authorities have heightened security and are bracing for possible unrest during Eurovision week.
“There are sometimes more police than people in sequins, but overall great fun, we’re having a great time,” said United Kingdom supporter Francesca Gaffey, wearing colorful rhine stones on her forehead, a flower headband and a t-shirt with the Eurovision slogan ‘United by Music’.
Thursday’s semifinal is due to begin at 1900 GMT and will also feature contestants from Malta, Albania, Greece, the Czech Republic, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, and Norway.
Bookmakers have Croatia, Switzerland, Italy and Ukraine as the favorites to win, while streaming data from Spotify suggests a strong chance for the Netherlands or host nation Sweden.


Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week
Updated 23 February 2025
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Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

DUBAI: Designers Shaikha Noor Al-Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al-Khalifa of Bahraini label Noon By Noor unveiled their Fall Winter 2025 collection during London Fashion Week.

The brand held a salon-style showcase at London’s Somerset House.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

Noon By Noor’s latest collection was inspired by Bahrain’s architectural landscape —specifically the work of Swiss architect Christian Kerez, whose multi-storey car parks in the city of Muharraq have become a cultural hub.

The four car parks were commissioned by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities as part of a wider preservation and development project in Murharraq, which served as the Bahraini capital until 1932.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

“We are fortunate to have been nurtured in art and architecture, both in our home and in our surroundings in Bahrain – a place rich in both, from which we can draw constant inspiration,” Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa said in a released statement.

Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa added: “While working on this collection, we focused on finding a sense of balance between structure and curves, elegance and ease, function and frivolity, a balance between generations — a collage of the past, the present and the future.”

The line features sculptural jackets, draped bodices, and sliced silhouettes that subtly reveal the skin. As per the brand’s design ethos, embellishments are minimal and textures and fabrics play a larger role.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

The designers employed a technique of stripping and fraying wool tweeds and reapplying them onto tulle to create their own lightweight fabric that is used across the collection.

Meanwhile, the color palette stays true to the fashion house’s previous collections, with heavy use of neutral shades. A dark shade of chartreuse acts as a counterweight to the black, beige and dark grey ensembles featured in the latest line, while a slick and shiny trench coat in creamy beige stood out on the runway.

The womenswear brand was established in 2008 and was previously shown at New York Fashion Week before the designers made the switch to London.


Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs
Updated 23 February 2025
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Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

DUBAI: Maharat, a new online Arabic edutainment platform, has announced a new business masterclass led by Toufic Kreidieh, Executive Chairman of Brands for Less Group. The course aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with practical insights into building and scaling businesses in a competitive market.

Designed to blend education and entertainment, Maharat has positioned itself as a player in the region’s digital learning space, similar to the well-known US subscription platform MasterClass. Maharat features classes from well-known figures in various fields, including music, acting, makeup artistry, home cooking, and professional development. High-profile instructors such as Ragheb Alama, Kosai Khauli, Rahma Riad, Bassam Fattouh, and Salam Dakkak have already contributed courses to the platform.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Maharat | (@maharatarabia)

“Having lived in the US for a while, I experienced firsthand the extremely ambitious mentality people have there and the genuine belief that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. This mentality is primarily fueled by access to elite education and roadmaps for achieving success provided through online education. At Maharat, we want to bridge this gap in our region and inspire everyone in the Arab World to pursue their dreams and become the best version of themselves by democratizing access to the highest caliber of education and success secrets,” said Maharat CEO Arman Khederlarian to Arab News.

Kreidieh’s “Building and Growing Your Business” masterclass is aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills such as understanding market trends, setting strategic goals, and identifying customer needs.

“Business success is about strategy, adaptability, and informed decision-making,” Kreidieh said. “Through this masterclass, I hope to share the lessons I've learned so others can build businesses that are both sustainable and successful.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Maharat | (@maharatarabia)

Maharat CEO Khederlarian added, “As Maharat continues to expand, we are focused on providing users with insights from some of the region’s most accomplished figures. This masterclass offers practical knowledge for those looking to thrive in the business world.”


Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards

Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards
Updated 23 February 2025
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Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards

Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards
  • The Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent in Santa Monica, California, is the more irreverent sister to the Academy Awards, celebrating the best in independent film and television
  • The awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, meaning more expensive Oscar nominees like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” were not in the running

Los Angeles: “No Other Land,” the Oscar-nominated film by a Palestinian-Israeli collective about the destruction of a village in the West Bank, has won the documentary prize at the Independent Spirit Awards.

The Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent in Santa Monica, California, is the shaggier, more irreverent sister to the Academy Awards, celebrating the best in independent film and television.

“No Other Land” was directed by a collective of four Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers — activists Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor — and marks their directorial debut.

The film follows the story of Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, as he fights against the mass expulsion of his community by Israeli forces. Since childhood, Adra has documented the demolition of homes and displacement of residents in his region under military occupation.

Meanwhile, Sean Baker’s “Anora” won best film, best director and best actor for Mikey Madison at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday in what could be a preview of next Sunday’s Oscars: The film about a Brooklyn sex worker and her whirlwind affair with a Russian oligarch’s son has emerged in recent weeks as an awards season front-runner.

In accepting the directing prize, Baker spoke passionately about the difficulty of making independent films in an industry that is no longer able to fund riskier films. He said indies are in danger of becoming calling card films — movies made only as a means to get hired for bigger projects.

“The system has to change because this is simply unsustainable,” Baker said to enthusiastic applause. “We shouldn’t be barely getting by.”

“Anora’s” best film competition included Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror “I Saw the TV Glow,” RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s “Nickel Boys,” Greg Kwedar’s incarceration drama “Sing Sing” and Coralie Fargeat’s body horror “The Substance.”

This year had several other possible Oscar winners celebrating. Kieran Culkin, considered an Oscar favorite, won the supporting performance award for “A Real Pain.” His director, co-star and writer Jesse Eisenberg won best screenplay for the film about two cousins embarking on a Holocaust tour in Poland.

Culkin was not there to accept — he also missed his BAFTA win last weekend to tend to a family member — but other Oscar nominees like Madison and Demi Moore were.
Madison won the top acting prize over Moore at the BAFTAs last weekend, as well, and stopped Saturday to pet Moore’s dog Pilaf on the way to the stage. Acting categories for the Spirit Awards are gender neutral and include 10 spots each, meaning Madison and Moore were up against Oscar nominees like Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”) and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”).

“Flow,” the wordless animated Latvian cat film, won best international film. At the Oscars, it’s competing in the international film category and animation.

While the Spirit Award winners don’t always sync up with the academy, they can often reflect a growing consensus as in the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” year. The awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, meaning more expensive Oscar nominees like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” were not in the running.

Sean Wang, left, accepts the award for best first screenplay for "Didi" from presenter Ruth Negga during the Film Independent Spirit Awards on  Feb. 22, 2025, in Santa Monica, California. (AP)


Sean Wang accepted best first feature and best first screenplay prizes for “Dìdi.” He said it was special to be sharing the stage with one of his stars, Joan Chen, who was also nominated for the same award 25 years ago for “Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.”

The Netflix phenomenon “Baby Reindeer” also picked up several prizes, for actors Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau.

Mau, who is trans, spoke about the importance of actors sticking together “as we move into this next chapter.”

“We don’t know what is going to happen, but we do know our power,” Mau said. “We are the people and our labor is everything.”

Other television winners included “Shōgun,” for best new scripted series, and “How to Die Alone,” for best ensemble.

“How to Die Alone” creator and star Natasha Rothwell was emotional while accepting the ensemble prize. The show was recently canceled after its first season.
Rothwell said it was “a show about the need to feel seen, to be valued just as you are.”

“For Black stories, visibility isn’t a privilege: It is a necessity,” Rothwell said. “We deserve to take up space, to be complex, to be hilarious and to be fully human.”

KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Chris Powell, Michelle McLeod, Natasha Rothwell, Jaylee Hamidi, Elle Lorraine and Arkie Kandola, after receiving the Best Ensemble Cast award for "How to Die Alone" in the 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards. (REUTERS)

The generally lighthearted show took a moment to acknowledge the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. Bryant made a plea to anyone watching the show, in the audience or on the YouTube livestream, to help rebuild L.A. She pointed to a QR code that appeared on the livestream to make donations to the Film Independent Emergency Filmmaker Relief Fund, providing grants to alumni impacted by the wildfires.

The show also paid tribute to longtime Film Independent president Josh Welsh, who died earlier this year at age 62. Welsh had colon cancer.

Bryant said in her opening that it had been a “great year for film and a bad year for human life.” The “Saturday Night Live” alum kicked off the event ribbing some of the nominees, like Emma Stone.

“Emma was a producer on four nominated projects tonight,” Bryant said. “But even more importantly, her hair is short now.”

Stone also featured prominently in Eisenberg’s speech, when he picked up the best screenplay prize for “A Real Pain.” Since they met on the set of “Zombieland” in 2009, he said, she’s been supportive of his writing despite being “the most famous person I know” and produced both of his films.

“I think of her not as my producer, but as a fairy godmother, like I’m riding the coattails for her goodwill,” Eisenberg said.

The camera cut to Stone, teary and moved, in the audience. She and her husband Dave McCary’s production company Fruit Tree also produced Julio Torres’ “Problemista” and “Fantasmas” and Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow.”

“I Saw the TV Glow” went into the show tied with “Anora” with six nominations. It left with only one, for producer Sarah Winshall.


Saudi artist teams up with Sephora for Founding Day 

Saudi artist teams up with Sephora for Founding Day 
Updated 23 February 2025
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Saudi artist teams up with Sephora for Founding Day 

Saudi artist teams up with Sephora for Founding Day 

DUBAI: Saudi visual artist Aseel Al-Yaagoub this week collaborated with Sephora to celebrate Saudi Founding Day through digital illustrations blending heritage and modern beauty.

 

 

One illustration features a henna-adorned hand reaching for a Sephora shopping bag descending with a parachute, set against traditional Arabian architecture. 

Another depicts two Saudi women in cultural attire applying Sephora makeup, surrounded by palm trees and a patterned bird symbolizing creativity.

“Heritage meets artistry. This Founding Day we’re celebrating Saudi beauty and culture with a special collaboration with Saudi artist,” the artist wrote on Instagram. 


Saudi designers push new boundaries at Saudi Cup

Saudi designers push new boundaries at Saudi Cup
Updated 22 February 2025
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Saudi designers push new boundaries at Saudi Cup

Saudi designers push new boundaries at Saudi Cup

RIYADH: Designers and models from across the Kingdom gathered at the Saudi Cup this weekend to showcase their designs, pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation and paying tribute to the Kingdom’s heritage, landscapes and tradition.

“We love to see brands pushing those boundaries and giving us a surprise every year,” Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak told Arab News.

(AN/ Huda Bashatah)

Pushing boundaries in fashion is exactly what happened at the 2025 Saudi Cup, with designers and models celebrating the Kingdom’s architecture and landmarks, such as a thobe-inspired suit decked in mirrors and a silk wrap-around to replicate AlUla’s Maraya or a 3D headband that replicated the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage of Hegra.

When asked what themes or tributes the CEO had seen most often at this year’s event, Cakmak said that there was a focus on regional references.

(AN/ Huda Bashatah)

“I think there’s always a regional reference, clearly the Saudi Cup is very much about Saudi culture and the country represents itself, especially designers based on where their origins are from, and heritage is from,” Cakmak said.

“So you will always see things that are very, very Najdi, very Hijazi, very Asisir, but at the same time are also thinking about, for example, sustainability using natural elements.

(AN/ Huda Bashatah)

“And we’ve seen brands that are using dates, palm leaves, organic materials, to create looks for an exhibition.”

The CEO underlined that sustainability and creativity remain common and consistent themes at this year’s Saudi Cup.

(AN/ Huda Bashatah)

“There are a lot of inspirations that are coming from elements of craft and architecture and also the regional references, but at the same time all the way to things that are very much inspired by nature and then the sky and then the positioning of the country, that’s basically giving new ideas around what design can look like,” he said.

For the fourth year, the Saudi 100 Brands has continued its partnership with the Saudi Cup, featuring a gallery of some of the top 100 Brands designers from bridal, couture, ready-to-wear, jewelry and bags.