Protests over Israel’ s entry to Eurovision

Eurovision Song Contest organisers said they will not “censor” the audience at the second semi-final after Israel’s entry, Eden Golan, was booed during rehearsals.

Golan will be one of the last performers at Malmo Arena with her song Hurricane, which was reworked from an earlier track called October Rain, thought to be a reference to the date of the Hamas attack on Israel.

She was booed by some of the spectators watching rehearsals on Wednesday and there were reportedly shouts of “free Palestine”.

Earlier in the day, Greta Thunberg was at the Stop Israel demonstration between Stortorget and Molleplatsen in the centre of Malmo ahead of a performance by Eden Golan, who is representing Israel.

During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off.

There was also a banner created with Eurovisionstyle branding with the words “genocide” on it, an accusation denied by Israel.

The sign was later taken to Malmo Arena, where activists handed out leaflets making similar allegations.

Rory Flynn, 27, from Kildare, said he is from the Eurovision Irish fan club and has started a “separate movement” to protest against Israel, adding the country’s entry in Sweden is “overshadowing the competition”.

Mr Flynn said his group booed during Golan, adding: “This song is a propaganda song.

“It is about justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and I think that says it all really, you know, I think it’s quite appropriate to kind of boo that propaganda.”

Kieran O’Casey, 71, from Dublin, said: “I don’t think Israel should have been allowed to participate, not in the face of Israel’s behaviour.”

Protesters marched across the city to Molleplatsen Park, with the crowd stretching around a mile long.

Malmo-born Adam, who would not give his surname, said that the demonstrators were not “against Israelis” but the country’s “politics”.

He also said that there are “protests” against Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, taking place in the Middle Eastern country.

A small gathering of proIsraeli activists also held demonstrations in Malmo to show their support for Golan.

DEMONSTRATION: Climate activist Greta Thunberg took part in the Malmo protest.