Eurovision: Thousands protest against Israelâs entry in Malmo
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Published
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have gathered in the Swedish city of Malmo to protest against Israelâs participation in the Eurovision song contest.
It comes as the city prepares to host the competitionâs second semi-final on Thursday night, in which Israelâs entrant Eden Golan is performing.
On Wednesday, Ms Golan was booed during a rehearsal of her song Hurricane.
A smaller demonstration in support of Israel has also taken place.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, was among those attending the pro-Palestinian protest.
She told the BBC that there was a âmoral obligation to actâ and to speak out against Israelâs military operation in Gaza.
âIf we are tens of thousands of people flooding the streets of Malmo when Eurovision is taking place, saying we will not accept this to continue, then itâs a very strong signal â and it does make a difference,â Ms Thunberg said.
Another protester, Matilda Varatta, told the Reuters news agency that she would like to see Israel disqualified as Russia was in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
âItâs not true that the Eurovision is not political, it has always been political, and it will always be,â she said.
Earlier, Ms Golan said that she was âproud to represent my countryâ and that ânothing will deterâ her.
âIâm focused on music, on the good energy, and there are so many people supporting me, and I feel like I have such an honour to represent my country, especially in these timesâ.
At the pro-Israel demonstration, people could be heard singing Hurricane in support of Ms Golan amid a significant police presence.
âIâm not that interested in Eurovision,â one demonstrator, Yael Sages Wahlström, told Swedenâs Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.
âBut since there has been such a huge storm of hate against Israel, I wanted to supportâ.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, which organises the countryâs contest entry, says it has asked the European Broadcasting Union to prevent a repeat of Wednesdayâs booing incident.
The Swedish authorities say they have heightened security in place and are prepared for potential unrest.
Israel is currently engaged in a military campaign in Gaza, which they launched as a response to Hamasâ cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October.
About 1,200 people were killed and 252 others were taken hostage.
More than 34,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territoryâs Hamas-run health ministry.
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Published58 minutes ago
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