Malmö Tightens Security for Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final Amid Terror Threats and Protests

Malmö is preparing itself for the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest tonight. Security measures in the Swedish city have been noticeably increased. Police officers are patrolling everywhere and the area around the Malmö Arena concert hall in particular is being closely watched: the roads are surrounded by roadblocks and snipers are stationed on the roofs .

The tougher measures were taken because Sweden’s terrorist threat level is high. Last summer, a series of Quran burnings angered part of the Muslim world. The police are also keeping an eye out for possible disturbances around planned demonstrations. Many believe that Israel should be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest because of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Compared to previous editions in Rotterdam, Turin and Liverpool, the police are noticeably more present. However, there was also high security in other recent editions such as Kiev (2017) and Tel Aviv (2019), where there was a threat of violence, with the use of many soldiers and heavy military vehicles.

Eden Golan was advised to enter Israel to stay in her room all week and come out only for rehearsals and shows. This year, for the first time, the Dutch public broadcaster AVROROS has a personal security guard who monitors Joost Klein, the entry of our northern neighbors.

The police in Malmö are particularly busy on Thursday, when a large demonstration is planned in the center of the city. Tens of thousands of people may then take to the streets against Israel’s participation in the song contest. (mts, Belgian)