EUROVISION crowds booed and jeered Israel’s contestant as she rehearsed her song ahead of tonight’s semi-final.
Eden Golan, 20, has vowed that “nothing will deter” her after Wednesday’s performance was interrupted by protesters chanting “Free Palestine”.
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In the footage of the dress rehearsal, loud boos can be heard from the crowd while Golan sang her original song “Hurricane”.
The music was partially drowned out by the cries of “Free Palestine” but others in the large crowd applauded her.
Responding to the backlash, Golan said she was “proud to represent my country”.
Israel’s involvement in the competition has been met with fierce criticism due to the country’s ongoing war against Hamas inside the Gaza Strip.
However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the event, has dismissed calls for Israel to be excluded.
The competition bills itself as a non-political event and can disqualify countries who break that neutrality rules.
In March, they asked Israel to modify the lyrics of Golan’s song “October Rain” as it appeared to reference Hamas’s brutal October 7 attack on Israel.
Golan unveiled the amended song, now titled Hurricane, last weekend.
Amongst the anger and threats she has faced online, Golan says she hopes her performance will help to unite people.
“It’s a super important moment for us, especially this year,” she said earlier this week. “I feel honoured to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country.”
Some 100,000 visitors have gathered in the southern Swedish city of Malmo for the annual event, which is taking place under the shadow of the war.
Since October, pro-Palestinian rallies have been a regular occurrence in Malmo, which is home to the majority of Sweden’s population of Palestinian origin.
Metal barricades and large concrete blocks have been put up around Malmo Arena.
Organisers have banned all flags other than those of the participating countries inside the arena, as well as all banners with a political message.
Police are guarding the venue and visitors need to pass through metal detectors before entering the arena and are not allowed to bring bags.
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Why Israel can compete at Eurovision but Russia can’t…
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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the event, has defended its ruling that Israel is allowed to compete despite its war in Gaza.
It claimed that it would be a “political move” to bar Israel from competing.
Defending the inclusion of Israel, the EBU’s director general Noel Curran said, “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU.
“It is not a contest between governments.”
On February 25 2022, the EBU excluded Russia from participating before it was due to perform in the semi-final.
At the time, it said Russia’s inclusion could bring the competition into disrepute “in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine”.
Citing the 2022 exclusion of Russia this week, Curran said, “The Russian broadcasters themselves were suspended from the EBU due to their persistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service values.”
Israel has won Eurovision five times in the past 50 years it has taken part in the singing competition.
A large crowd of protesters gathered today on Malmo’s central square Stortorget, a few miles from the competition venue, waving Palestinian flags and shouting “boycott Israel”.
Police estimate that about 5,000 people attended the demonstration.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined the protesters, stating: “Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should react to this.”
Protester Kasia Wiatrowska, from Malmo, wore a green T-shirt with the words “Libre Palestine” on the back.
“I do like Eurovision,” Wiatrowska said. “We all love music. But this year music is dividing people, and I don’t like that,” she added.
Swedish authorities have heightened security and are bracing for possible unrest, and there was a significant police presence in the square.
There is high security around the delegations from all the countries, according to Malmo police.
“We’re keeping a bit of an extra eye on Israel of course, because of the situation,” Lotta Svensson, a police incident commander,
A pro-Israel demonstration is also scheduled for Thursday.
Thursday’s semi-final is due to begin at 7pm (GMT) and will feature contestants from Malta, Albania, Greece, the Czech Republic, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia and Norway.
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