Climate activist Greta Thunberg also joined the pro-Gaza protesters. Who also contest Israel’s participation in the singing festival. Just today, in fact, during the second semi-final, the Israeli competitor Eden Golan, 20 years old, will perform on the Swedish stage
In these hours 25 thousand people have filled the streets of Malmö (where the Eurovision Song Contest began on Tuesday 7 May) to take part in the procession calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is also among the pro-Palestinian protesters. The protests also concern Israel’s participation in the singing festival. Just today, in fact, during the second semi-final, the Israeli competitor Eden Golan, 20 years old, will perform on the Swedish stage performing her song “Hurricane”.
The protest
A large crowd of protesters gathered in Malmö’s central Stortorget square, about 7 kilometers (4.35 miles) from the competition site, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “boycott Israel.” Among the slogans shouted and on the banners we read ‘Stop the genocide’ ‘Where is humanity? Where is the justice?’. “It is very important to come and protest against Israel’s war in Gaza,” said Anders, from Malmo, who came to the protest with his two young children. “At Eurovision there is a double standard and we also see that the governments of Western countries do not enforce international law,” he added. “I’m very ashamed” also underlined another protester, Maria, a librarian in Malmo who is keen to protest: “I lack the words to describe what is happening in Gaza. It’s terrible!”. Maria loves Eurovision and has always watched it on TV since she was a child, but she doesn’t understand why Israel is in the competition: “They say that politics has nothing to do with music, but then how come the municipality of Malmö removed all the stickers and signs about Gaza? Is that a clear stance on their part,” she said.
Some of the participants hold signs with photos of malnourished and mutilated children.
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Greta Thunberg in the square
Climate activist Greta Thunberg also joined the pro-Gaza protesters. “Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should react to this situation,” said Thunberg, 21, wrapped in a keffiyeh, the traditional scarf that has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance. In recent months, the activist had been highly criticized for her positions on the war between Hamas and Israel and for having defined the war underway in the Gaza Strip as a real genocide.
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The security measures
Swedish authorities have beefed up security and are preparing for possible unrest, and there was a significant police presence in the square, live footage showed.
Metal barricades and large concrete blocks have been erected around the Malmö Arena, which hosts the competition.
Police guard the arena and visitors must pass through metal detectors before entering the arena. Bags are checked and visitors are only allowed to bring small bags.
At 6pm, however, the welcome event for the Israeli delegation to Eurovision will take place, organized by the Sweden-Israel Friendship Association. This evening, then, there will be the second semi-final of the singing event where Angelina Mango and the young Israeli singer, Eden Golan, whose participation has been highly contested, will also perform.
