thousands of demonstrators in Malmö against Israel’s participation in Eurovision

They denounce the presence of Israel in the second semi-final of the competition, Thursday evening.

Thousands of people marched calmly through the streets of Malmö (Sweden) on Thursday, May 9, to protest against Israel’s participation in Eurovision. The country was preparing to enter the competition with singer Eden Golan, who will perform Hurricane in the second semi-final. This participation in the European song competition, the final of which will be held on Saturday, is contested due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with several petitions calling for its exclusion across Europe.

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At the end of March, candidates from nine countries, including Switzerland’s Nemo, one of the favorites, called for a lasting ceasefire. In 2022, Russian broadcasting companies were excluded from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees the competition, in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

Several thousand people on the main square

Starting from the main square of Malmö, the demonstrators, more than 5,000 people according to the AFP team, marched in the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, brandishing Palestinian flags. Signs and placards proclaimed “Liberate Palestine“, “EUR legitimizes the genocide” Or “We cannot wash colonialism rosy”. Climate activist Greta Thunberg, known for her pro-Palestinian positions, was in the procession alongside many families.

Ten of the sixteen candidates competing this evening will meet Sweden, the defending champion, in the final on Saturday, the “Big Five” – Germany, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom – the biggest contributors to the organization, and the first ten qualified during Tuesday’s semi-final.