Thousands of pro-Hamas protesters took to the streets of Malmö again on Saturday to protest Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest being held in the multicultural Swedish city.
The Swedish police Estimation Between 8 and 10,000 anti-Israel demonstrators gathered in the center of Malmö to demand that Israeli Eurovision contestant Eden Golan be removed from the final.
Golan represents Israel with the song “Hurricane” (original title: “October Rain”), named after the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages. But mainly was locked up During the contest over security concerns, she was taken to a hotel room and placed under protection organized by Israel’s top security agency, the Shin Bet.
The 20-year-old Jewish singer was also filmed being escorted to the final event by a motorcade accompanied by around 100 Swedish police officers to protect her from protesters. Sun report.
100 Swedish police officers escort 20-year-old singer Eden Göran between her hotel and the Malmö Arena ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Apart from the long convoy, police helicopters can be heard flying overhead.
Malmo is a city with serious problems
— Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) May 11, 2024
Ziv Nevo Kurman, Israel’s ambassador to Sweden, condemned the protests, saying: Dagens Nyheter: “Malmö is home to the world’s largest music competition, and in recent weeks the focus has been on extremism. This is because the pro-Palestinian groups holding the demonstrations are the most extremist groups among the extremists.
“These are the same people who celebrated in the streets after October 7th. And they are joined by the BDS movement and radical leftists from all over the continent who chose to come to Malmö. The provocation is over. , and they are looking for confrontation.”
The ambassador also criticized the Eurovision crowd for booing Golan, saying: “I know it’s not forbidden to boo bad artists. But until people boo Eden Golan… hadn’t started singing yet. I think it’s political and doesn’t belong in Eurovision. And seriously, you’re expressing no opinion when you boo an artist. I don’t think so.”
“I cried with the team.” Irish Eurovision finalist Bambi Sugg was asked how he felt when Israel qualified for Eurovision. #Eurovision Last. pic.twitter.com/wE1F8xeU7E
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) May 10, 2024
In addition to facing mass protests, Golan has also faced criticism from other contestants, including Irish contestant Bumby, who also reportedly called for Golan’s disqualification. From the finals where he was even forced to move to a separate room from the other performers on Thug’s orders. The 31-year-old Irish singer, who uses the pronouns “they/them” and claims to be non-binary, said on Friday that she “cried” when it was revealed the Jewish singer had made it to the Eurovision final. “It was,” he said.
Bumbie Thug entered the contest with a devilish style songDoomsday Blue” Said: “I cried along with the team… This completely overshadows everything and goes against everything Eurovision is supposed to be,” he added, adding, “This is a big, big community and it’s a great opportunity to participate. They weren’t even allowed to meet us.”
Meanwhile, Marina Satti, who is representing Greece in the competition, was filmed pretending to be asleep while Golan was holding a press conference.
Greece’s Eurovision entrant Marina Satti, 37, acted like a child by pretending to be asleep in front of the camera while Israeli singer Eden Golan spoke at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/PojFwUc1AB
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 10, 2024
Despite this, Golan put on a brave face amidst the chaos. write He said this on social media on Saturday ahead of the final. “I’m standing on this stage with so much pride. I’m proud of our song and the effort we put into it. I’m proud of my country and its people. From miles away. I feel your love and support. Nothing and no one can break me down. Tonight, I’m going to share our voices and perform the best I can. I love.”
Russian-Israeli singer Eden Golan, who represents Israel with “Hurricane,” during the final rehearsal of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) held at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, on May 11. Waving the Israeli flag. 2024. (Photo: ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT News Agency/AFP)/Sweden OUT (Photo: ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
Saturday’s protests were the latest large-scale anti-Israel demonstrations to hit Malmö during this year’s Eurovision contest, with more than 10,000 people taking to the streets of Malmö on Thursday, including Swedish political activist Greta Thunberg. also joined the group.
Malmö has become a major demographic center in the Nordic country over the past decade, with Muslims now accounting for 20 percent of the city’s population.
Swedish officials Admitted This fundamental change has been accompanied by an increase in anti-Semitism and terrorist activity, with the result that the Jewish population has declined by about half what it was in the 1970s. Some of the remaining Jews spoke to German newspapers. die welt They didn’t feel “welcomed” this week. [their] And many people chose to leave the city during the Eurovision contest.
