Professional activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of anti-Israel demonstrators in Malmö, Sweden, on Thursday to protest Israel being allowed to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. It made their anger even louder.
Despite protests from Thunberg and pro-Hamas supporters, Israeli contestant Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane” in front of 9,000 people in the second semi-final of the night. Thanks to the votes of viewers, we decided to advance to the finals.
“Stop Israel” protesters waved green, white, black and red Palestinian flags before filling the historic Stortorget square near Malmö’s 16th-century town hall before leaving the Eurovision venue. Sky News marched through the city to a rally in a park a few miles away. report.
Police estimate that between 10,000 and 12,000 people took part. Greta Thunberg, 21, was also seen in the crowd wearing a keffiyeh (a symbol of solidarity with Palestine).
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg (C) takes part in a rally in Malmö, Sweden, to protest Israel’s participation in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) on May 9, 2024. . (Image by JOHAN NILSSON/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty)
The demonstration was marked by the release of smoke bombs in Palestinian colors and chants of “Liberate Palestine”.
The march took place at the same time as 20-year-old Israeli contestant Eden Golan was taking part in the final rehearsal for the second Eurovision semi-final at the Malmö arena.
In the end, the protests against Israel in general and Eden Golan in particular were in vain.
Golan performed his song “Hurricane” in front of 9,000 spectators at the host city’s Malmö Arena in the second semi-final on Thursday, where he qualified for the final thanks to viewers’ votes.
Israel joins a group of 26 countries competing on Saturday in the contest, which Eurovision promises every year and is watched by millions of pop sound enthusiasts around the world.
Singer Eden Golan represents Israel with the song “Hurricane” after the second semi-final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) held at the Malmö Arena in Malmö on May 9, 2024. reacts after advancing to the finals. (IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty)
“Well, I…I got really emotional. It’s such an honor to be here and to be able to perform on stage and show off our voices, and to be able to represent them with pride and make it to the finals. , it’s really amazing,” the 20-year-old Goran said after qualifying for the final.
Some online betting comparison sites list Golan as a favorite to win this year’s tournament, which will be held in the birthplace of ABBA.
Israel first competed in Eurovision in 1973 and has won the contest four times.
