“Boycott Eurovision” a man shouts into a microphone, “shame on Eurovision”.
For a song contest striving to avoid politics, Eurovision 2024 is proving challenging.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Malmo right this moment to exhibit in opposition to Israel’s inclusion within the contest because the struggle in Gaza rages on.
Read extra: Everything you need to know about this year’s show
Tonight, Israeli entrant Eden Golan will discover out if she’s by means of to the ultimate.
A call to enable Israel to take part has been contentious, prompting some to boo throughout Golan’s gown rehearsal.
The outcry follows months of demonstrations and requires a boycott.
Among the group right this moment a group carries a signal studying “murder on the dance floor”.
“I’ve come because I want to kick out Israel from Eurovision,” one girl tells me.
Demonstrators are calling for a boycott of the contest
“Some people would argue that you shouldn’t mix politics and music, but I feel that is a very narrow view of the world because in the end it is all about politics, it is all about momentum,” provides Hussein who says he is right here as a result of he has Palestinian roots.
Golan says she desires to unite folks with music however the ongoing protests add to the tensions surrounding the contest.
Israel’s Eden Golan performs her song Hurricane. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
Police aren’t taking any possibilities
Security within the metropolis is tight.
This yr’s song contest has prompted one of many greatest police operations ever in Sweden.
Against the backdrop of two wars and the current Moscow terror assault, they don’t seem to be taking any possibilities.
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Eurovision followers on Israel
“We are aware that Sweden as a country is at a four on a five-point terror-threat scale and we obviously have that with us in our planning,” Jimmy Modin, a spokesperson for Swedish police, mentioned.
“We will have a lot of police officers from all over Sweden but also from Norway and Denmark, who will work with us during this week and we will also be flying with our drones.”
Despite the safety presence, some listed here are nervous.
Read extra:
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Ireland reaches Eurovision final for first time since 2018
Eurovision facing controversy
Pic: TT News Agency/Johan Nilsson
Fredrik Sieradzki, a spokesperson for Malmo’s Jewish group says antisemitism has been rising since 7 October.
Some concern Jews will probably be focused throughout the contest.
“People think that something will happen and [some] are getting away from Malmo. Some are very afraid and they will not go out. They won’t be at the venues where there will be celebrations and for sure not where there is a big demonstration,” Mr Sieradzki says.
Police are hoping their sheer numbers on the streets will provide reassurance.
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And the tensions haven’t destroyed the Eurovision spirit.
Many right here nonetheless solely have music on their minds.