Malmo, Sweden – Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Malmo, Sweden, to protest Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, a decision that sparked controversy due to the country’s initial song entry referencing a Hamas attack. The protesters, including prominent figure Greta Thunberg, converged in Malmo’s Stortorget square before marching towards the Eurovision venue, expressing their discontent with Israel’s involvement in the competition.
The demonstration featured protesters waving Palestinian flags, donning keffiyeh scarves, and using smoke bombs in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Chants of “From river to sea, Palestine will be free” and “Israel is a terror state” resonated throughout the streets as police monitored the situation closely. Despite calls to expel Israel from the competition, Eurovision organizers stood firm on keeping the event nonpolitical, citing their previous rejection of Russia in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
In an attempt to maintain political neutrality, Eurovision organizers initially rejected Israel’s song submission, titled “October Rain,” due to its references to the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli response. However, Israel’s President worked with the songwriter to make changes, leading to the rebranding of the song as “Hurricane” with altered lyrics to comply with the competition’s guidelines.
Protests against Israel’s participation were met with audience members booing during dress rehearsals, but the Israeli contestant still secured a spot in the final competition. As tensions continue to rise, supporters and detractors of Israel’s involvement in Eurovision are preparing for the final showdown in Malmo. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has fueled anti-Israel sentiments among protesters, who argue that a music competition should promote peace and unity rather than division.
In response to the mounting tensions, pro-Israel demonstrators staged a smaller protest in central Malmo, highlighting the polarizing effect of Israel’s presence in the competition. Despite efforts to bridge the divide through music, the controversy surrounding Israel’s participation underscores the deep-rooted political and social issues that have come to define the Eurovision Song Contest.