Thunberg joins Eurovision protesters

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a rally in Malmo in protest against Israel’s participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

Greta Thunberg last night joined pro-palestine protests in Malmo against Israel competing in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The climate activist, 21, was at the Stop Israel demonstration in the centre of the Swedish city ahead of a performance by singer Eden Golan who is representing Israel in the second semi-final.

Thunberg was wearing a keffiyeh, a scarf commonly used to show support for Palestine, around her body in the centre of the crowd.

During the march, Stockholm-born Thunberg refused to comment apart from saying that she was “good” while flanked by other young activists. Swedish police last night estimated between 10,000 to 12,000 people took part in the protest march.

Inside the Malmo Arena, Israel’s entry Eden Golan received a fair response. Judging by the official audio feed, there were muted boos as she finished her song, Hurricane, but they were drowned out by cheers. She thanked the crowd as she left the stage.

Earlier the Eurovision Song Contest organisers had said they would not “censor” the audience at the second semifinal. 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, was booed during rehearsals on Wednesday by some of those watching and there were reportedly shouts of “free Palestine”.

During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom had dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-israel conflict.

At one point, the pro-palestinian demonstrators were told to go back by police and, following shouts of “free Palestine”, returned to the main gathering.

There was also a banner created with Eurovision-style branding with the words “genocide” on it, an accusation vigorously denied by Israel amid the war with Hamas which was sparked by the October 7 killings and kidnappings of hundreds of Israelis.

The sign was later taken to

Malmo Arena, where activists handed out leaflets making similar allegations.

At the protest in Malmo, 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”.

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’s handling of the war currently taking place in the Middle Eastern country.

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

Israel’s entry in Sweden is overshadowing the competition Protester Rory Flynn