Staff Reports
Thousands of protesters gathered in Malmo, Sweden, during the Eurovision song contest this week, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and demonstrating against Israel’s involvement in the event. The protesters chanted, “Eurovision shame on you! Blood is on your hands too!” and marched through the streets leading up to the contest’s semifinals. Israel’s participant, singer Eden Golan, faced jeers and shouts of “Free Palestine!” during a dress rehearsal, reflecting the strong opposition to Israel’s presence at the event.
According to reports, Sweden had anticipated the protests and made preparations for them. The European Broadcasting Union, which oversees Eurovision, emphasized its support for freedom of speech while strongly opposing any online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at the contest’s artists. Some other contest participants faced disciplinary actions for attempting to convey political messages during the nonpolitical event. Despite these measures, the protests and political expressions continued to be a significant part of the contest’s atmosphere.
Eden Golan’s song, “Hurricane,” stirred controversy as its original title, “October Rain,” was changed to avoid associations with a past Hamas attack. Golan, a Ukrainian-Israeli singer, earned her spot as Israel’s representative in Eurovision through her performance on the TV show, Rising Star . Despite the challenges, some supporters sympathized with her, highlighting that she is a 20-year-old who is not responsible for the larger geopolitical issues at play.
Additionally, protesters organized an alternative event called “FalastinVision, the Genocide-Free Song Contest,” as a response to the Eurovision contest. The protests and demonstrations during the event reflected a broader sentiment against Israel’s involvement and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
In summary, the protests at the Eurovision song contest in Malmo, Sweden, highlighted the ongoing tension and disputes surrounding Israel’s participation. The protests reflect a strong anti-Israel sentiment among some contest attendees, calling for solidarity with Palestine and opposing Israel’s involvement in the event. The reactions and political expressions have become a notable aspect of the contest, raising questions about the intersection of entertainment and geopolitics.
