An Israeli solo artist’s performance at Eurovision 2024 sparked pro-Palestine protests in Sweden on May 10, 2024. Eden Golan, aged 20 faced boos from certain sections of the audience over Israel’s participation in the world’s largest music fest, but the singers manage to advance to the finals.
The Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Sweden this week with 37 participating countries. Some 100,000 visitors from 89 countries have gathered in the host city of Malmo, along with the large protests against Israel’s participation to the war in Gaza. Amid the anti-Israel, there were also signs of support with applause and Israeli flags in solidarity.
Outside the Eurovision venue, the tensions spilled over to the streets of Malmo where pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered to voice against Israel’s participation. “When a country behaves in a way that is not acceptable to them, the Eurovision excludes them. So why is it not for Israel?” said Swedish activist Greta Thunberg who participated in the protest calling for Israel’s exclusion from the Eurovision 2024.
Protestors began waving Palestinian flags packed the historic Stortorget Square near the Malmo’s 16th century town hall planned s protest march on May 9, 2024 through the city for rally in park several kilometres from Eurovision venue.
Around 10,000 to 12,000 people took part and chanted “From River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” and “Israel is a terror state”. There was a large police presence with a hovering helicopter and officers were posted on rooftops with binoculars to monitor the event.
The Eurovision organisers faced mounting pressure to address the political controversy surrounding Israels involvement Calls for the exclusion of Israel over the military campaign in Gaza reverberated, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stood firm in its decision to allow Golan to compete. The organisers emphasised the apolitical nature of the competition asserting that Eurovision was a platform for celebrating music and cultural diversity.
During a press conference held shortly after the show, Golan said that she felt overwhelmed with emotions, it’s truly such an honour to be here on stage performing and showing our voice and representing us with pride and making it to the finals. The Israeli singer was asked if she felt that she should have not attended the contest since it would only bring risk and danger to the other contestants
Answering the question, Golan said, “I think that we are all here for one reason and one reason only. And the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this place safe united for everyone.
