Further protests are expected to take place after Israel qualified as one of the 26 countries competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 final.
Ahead of the second semi-final on Thursday 9 May, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in Malmö, Sweden, where this year’s contest is being held, to protest against Israel’s participation amid its war on Gaza.
The country is being represented by singer Eden Golan, whose rehearsal performance of her song “Hurricane” was met with boos and shouts of “free Palestine” on Wednesday.
Protestors in Malmö were joined on Thursday by climate activist Greta Thunberg, who wore a keffiyeh, a garment that many are using to show their support for Palestine.
Swedish authorities have ramped up security and are bracing for possible unrest when the final takes place this Saturday.
Other countries to make it through to the final after competing on Thursday include favourites such as Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, and Switzerland’s Nemo.
Follow live updates below:
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They first attempted to represent their neighbours Sweden at Eurovision in 2023, but were runners-up to Loreen, who went on to win Eurovision last year with her song “Tattoo”.
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Israel’s Eurovision semi-final success overshadowed by pro-Palestine protests in Malmo
Eden Golan, who is representing Israel at this year’s event, was voted through to the grand final following her dramatic performance of “Hurricane”, a song that was reworked from original entry “October Rain” after it was widely interpreted as a reference to the Hamas attacks of 7 October.
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Roisin O’Connor10 May 2024 09:02
In pictures: Protestors march in Malmo over Israel’s participation in Eurovision
Swedish authorities have heightened security and are bracing for possible unrest after Israel qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final.
Police officers have been seen patrolling the streets of Malmo and, from water scooters, the city’s canals, as hundreds of protestors gathered outside the Malmo Arena calling for Israel to be banned from the contest.
Roisin O’Connor10 May 2024 08:50
Why is Israel competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024?
The Israel-born Golan, who grew up in Russia, told ITV News this week that she could not have asked “for a better year to be representing my country”.
Protests over Israel’s participation are underway in Malmö, Sweden, which is hosting this year’s contest following Swedish contestant Loreen’s win with “Tattoo” in 2023.
Roisin O’Connor10 May 2024 08:45
Revealed: The Eurovision 2024 final running order!
Delegates from 10 countries including Austria, Israel, Estonia, Georgia, Switzerland and the Netherlands managed to qualify, joining the 10 who made it through in the first semi-final on Tuesday 7 May.
They will join the “big five” who are guaranteed a place in the final, including the UK’s Olly Alexander who will perform his song “Dizzy”.
Cork-born, London-based singer Bambie Thug, one of the favourites to win, will sing their electro-metal song “Doomsday Blue”. Ukraine’s duo Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil are considered strong competition with their moving anthem “Teresa & Maria”.
Elsewhere, current favourite Baby Lasagna will perform his outlandish “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” on behalf of Croatia, whle Finnish entrant Windows95Man will sing his outlandish tune “No Rules!”.
You can find the running order here:
Roisin O’Connor10 May 2024 08:25
