Israel warns its citizens: Do not go to Eurovision – 2024-05-02 21:24:16

Israel warns its citizens who are applying for visas, Israel National News reports.

Israel has raised Malmö’s threat rating from level 2 to level 3 for the duration of Eurovision. Level 2 means a possible threat, while level three means a moderate threat.

Israel recommends its citizens planning to travel to Malmö to consider the necessity of their trip.

The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö, Sweden next week. Israel will compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, May 9. The five-a-side final will be held on Saturday, May 11.

According to Aftonbladet, a demonstration in support of Palestine is planned for both of these dates. In addition, a demonstration in support of Israel is planned for Thursday.

Israel has been at war in Gaza since October, when the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel. 1200 people died in the Hamas attack, more than 31,000 Palestinians have since died in the Israeli counterattack.

Eden Golan represents Israel in Eurovision. Corinne Cumming

On Friday, May 3, a different kind of demonstration will be seen in Malmö. The police have given permission to burn the Koran at Kustaa Aadolf market. The police commented to SVT that there were no grounds for denying the request.

No tickets

Eurovision has also made a policy regarding war protest. It is forbidden to bring Palestinian flags to Malmö’s Eurovision arena, reports ABC News and Göteborgs-Posten.

The Vius audience can only bring flags of the competing countries and rainbow flags into the arena. The European Broadcasting Union EBU reserves the right to remove other flags, symbols, items of clothing, objects and posters if there is reason to suspect that the visitor is using the television broadcast for their own purposes, EBU Communications Manager Michelle Roverelli says to AP.

According to TT, a person entering the arena will be stopped at the gates if they try to bring a Palestinian flag or a political sign.

Wise boss Martin Osterdahl confirms to TT that the same rule has been in force for a long time.

– Unfortunately, we live in a time when there are too many conflicts. Unfortunately, the situation in Palestine is not the only one. Therefore, the only reasonable approach is to only allow the flags of the countries that are competing, commented Österdahl.

Israel’s participation in Eurovision has caused opposition for the past few months. However, the EBU has stated that Eurovision is a non-political event and Israel is allowed to participate.

However, Israel had to change the lyrics of his candidate song, because October Rain – the song was considered to refer to a terrorist attack by Hamas. After change Eden Golanin the song performed goes by the name Hurricane.

Finland will compete in the first semifinal of the visas on Tuesday, May 7.