Protests planned as Israel entry qualifies
THE Eurovision Song Contest will see more pro-palestinian protests after Israel qualified for tonight’s final.
Eden Golan (20) whose emotional song Hurricane was reworked from a previous track called October Rain, which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel, triumphed in the semi-final on Thursday evening in Malmo Arena.
She was congratulated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he was “proud” of the young star.
The Swedish Police Authority said an estimated crowd of 10,000 to 12,000 pro-palestinian protesters who marched through Malmo on Thursday were “very peaceful”.
The demonstrators, who were condemning Israel taking part in Eurovision amid the conflict in Gaza, walked through the streets of Malmo from Stortorget to Molleplatsen, and among them was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Police said nine people were warned about “disturbing the public order” and one man was arrested after allegedly carrying a knife and some tools in his bag.
The force said it has approved two demonstrations — both pro-palestinian — for today, when the UK’S Olly Alexander competes in the final alongside Ireland’s Bambie Thug and Golan.
Alexander and Bambie, along with other Eurovision artists, released a joint statement in March backing “an immediate and lasting ceasefire” in Gaza but refusing to boycott the event.
At a press conference on Thursday, Latvia’s qualifying contestant Dons was asked about his message, and his reply appeared to make reference to conflicts throughout the world.
He said: “It was a special day for me in my life and I’d say I’ve never been so proud to be part of Latvian nation and Latvian, we’re the only country in the world that is in the shape of a butterfly.
“A butterfly symbolises hope and freedom because to be a butterfly, you have to fly and you have to be free. Every country in the world deserves to be free.”
The Israeli act also said she was “overwhelmed with emotions” and that she was “super excited to go on stage once more, and share that of my love with everyone”.
Earlier, when Netherlands act Joost Klein was asked if his song can unite people by music, he replied: “I think that’s a good question for the EBU.”
During the semi-final, Golan was applauded and cheered by the audience, while dressed in a flowing sand-coloured dress.
That marked a change from Golan being booed during rehearsals on Wednesday, and reportedly facing shouts of “free Palestine”. The event’s organiser said it will not “censor” the audience and encouraged the crowd to “attend in the spirit of the contest, embracing its values of inclusivity, celebrating diversity and being united by music”.