Israel’s representative in the Eurovision Song Contest, Eden Golan, was booed on Wednesday night during the dress rehearsal of the second semi-final of the contest, which will be held this Thursday, in protest of her country’s bloody military offensive in Gaza. In the rehearsal, designed for the jury and which included an audience that had paid admission, as is usual every year at this stage of the contest, there was also applause for the singer, who always continued her performance, singing her song Hurricane among dancers.
A spectator raised a Palestinian flag, which was removed by the security service, as there is an express prohibition on displaying Palestinian symbols. Someone from the stands shouted: ‘Free Palestine!’ The organizers fear new boos and environmental tension at tonight’s semi-final gala, while the day is already very complicated in the streets due to two demonstrations. The Swedish police have redoubled their security, and Danish and Norwegian agents have come as reinforcement.
Tens of thousands of people – the Swedish press speaks of 20,000 – are expected to attend a large pro-Palestinian demonstration against the presence of Israel this Thursday at 3 p.m. in the center of Malmö, far from the Malmö Arena, the pavilion that houses the finery. Coaches are coming from Copenhagen. A smaller pro-Israel demonstration is planned for 6 p.m.
Following the booing of Eden Golan at Wednesday night’s dress rehearsal, Israeli public television, KAN, issued a statement: “Eden proudly took the stage during the dress rehearsal and gave an incredible performance. They did not silence her and they will not silence us. See you tomorrow”.
The 20-year-old performer also issued a statement Wednesday night, according to The Times of Israel. “I am proud to represent my country, especially this year. “I am receiving support and love and I am determined to give my best performance tomorrow in the semi-final and nothing will deter me from achieving that goal!” For security reasons, Eden Golan has spent these days practically confined in her Malmö hotel with the Israeli delegation, leaving only for rehearsals and official appointments, and she has not gone to promotion parties.
This Thursday’s semifinal begins at 9 p.m. (TVE’s 1 broadcasts it live) and 15 countries will fight to advance to Saturday’s final (10 must remain): Malta, Albania, Greece, Israel, Czech Republic, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia and Norway.
Malmö, Sweden’s third city with about 360,000 inhabitants, has demographic and cultural diversity and has a significant population of Arab origin. In the first semi-final, the Swede Eric Saade – whose father was Palestinian – acted as a guest and wore a Palestinian scarf on his wrist.
