With Israel performing on the Eurovision Song Contest stage on Thursday (May 9) in the second semi-final, large pro-Palestinian protests are planned in host city Malmo. As a protest ship docks in the Swedish city, Israeli fans say they feel disillusioned in the face of calls to boycott the country.

Malmö

Israel's Participation in Eurovision Amid Protests and Security Concerns

In the wake of a significant Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which was a response to an attack by Hamas on October 7, Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has become a flashpoint for protests and calls for boycotts. As the contest's second semi-final approaches, featuring an Israeli performance, the city of Malmö, Sweden, the host of this year's event, braces for large-scale pro-Palestinian protests.

Israeli fans have expressed their despondency amidst the intensifying calls for boycott and protests against their country. Oded Avraham, an Israeli fan, shared his disappointment, highlighting the contrast between the Eurovision's festive atmosphere and the harsh reality back home. The sense of disillusionment is amplified by the events of October 7, leaving many Israelis heartbroken.

Malmö's readiness for the expected protests includes enhanced security measures around the Eurovision venue, such as metal barricades and concrete blocks, in anticipation of possible unrest. Adding to the tension, a vessel from the Scandinavian NGO Ship to Gaza landed in Malmö, signaling solidarity with Gaza's people and aiming to challenge Israel's maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of Eurovision, has faced pressure to exclude Israel from the contest. However, while resisting such calls, the EBU has requested changes to the lyrics of Israel's original song entry, "October Rain," which referenced the October 7 Hamas attack. This decision has stirred controversy, with accusations of hypocrisy, especially in light of Russia's exclusion from the contest after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The situation is polarizing, with different stakeholders presenting their views. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators accuse the EBU of double standards, while Israeli fans, like Yoel Talamot, argue that their country's actions, being defensive in response to an attack, shouldn't be likened to Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, thus criticizing the calls for a boycott.

As Malmö welcomes around 100,000 visitors for the song contest, watched by approximately 200 million people worldwide, the city becomes a focal point for a broader geopolitical controversy, underscoring the complexity of the conflict and the challenges of navigating cultural events amidst international tensions.



Israel in the spotlight at the Eurovision semi-final

Hate wave is so enormous and it made the Israeli fans feel so depressed and again disillusioned. In the run-up to Israel's semi-final performance on the Eurovision Song Contest stage on Thursday, Israeli fan Oded Avraham said he feels despondent. Protests and boycotts are planned over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. We are all in Israel are heartbroken because of what happened on October 7th and it adds up. We thought we are going to for this escapistic, bubble, fun, campic, colourful and then it bursts in our face. Another thing burst in our face. So it's disappointing. Large pro-Palestinian protests are planned in Malmö, Sweden, where the song contest is hosted. Metal barricades and large concrete blocks have been put up around the arena, with police braced for possible arrest. On Wednesday, a vessel from Scandinavian NGO Ship to Gaza arrived at the port of Malmö, calling for solidarity with the people of Gaza. With stops in several European ports, the NGO aims to raise awareness of the situation for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and will also attempt to break Israel's sea blockade of the Gaza coast. The European Broadcasting Union, EBU, which organises Eurovision, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded. But it has asked Israel to modify the lyrics of its original song, October Rain, which appeared to reference the Hamas attack. I have mixed feelings. It feels like it's hypocrisy that Russia was excluded and that Israel is included. While pro-Palestinian demonstrators like Leah Ali protest against what they call double standards, pointing to the EBU's decision to ban Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, Israeli Eurovision fan Yoel Talamot says the two should not be compared. The world perceives it as like Russia attacked Ukraine, so now we're boycotting them. And Israel attacked Gaza, so it's fair to boycott them as well. But the situation is more nuanced and it's more complex because we were attacked first, we were protecting ourselves. Some 100,000 visitors have gathered in the host city. The show is watched by some 200 million people worldwide.

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