Israeli Eurovision singer Eden Golan was ordered to stay in her hotel room by her country’s national security agency as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters including Greta Thunberg demonstrated in Malmo, calling for her to be excluded from the competition. The Mail has more.
Greta Thunberg joined the thousands of protesters in the southern Swedish city demonstrating against Israel competing in the famous song contest.
The climate activist, 21, was at the Stop Israel demonstration in the centre of the city on Thursday ahead of the young Israeli-Russian singer’s performance at the second semi-final of the competition later this evening.
Muslims and leftists are battling the police in Malmö, throwing rocks and causing mayhem.
— Nioh Berg ♛ ✡︎ אסתר (@NiohBerg) May 9, 2024
Why?
Because ONE Israeli singer is participating in Eurovision.
Sweden is no longer Sweden. pic.twitter.com/S42LzADqJb
It was reported earlier that Israel’s national security agency Shin Bet had warned Golan not to leave her hotel room except for performances because Malmo was anticipating the wave of pro- Palestinian demonstrations.
The prediction was correct, with as many as 5,000 people taking to the city’s streets today, including the young Swede – who was pictured wearing a keffiyeh, a black and white shawl commonly used to show support for Palestine, around her body in the centre of the crowd within a sea of Palestinian flags.
“Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should react to this,” Thunberg told Reuters news agency. She refused to comment on why she had joined the protest, only saying it was “good” as the march took place.
During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom have dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Other banners displayed messages including “welcome to Genocide song contest” and “stop using Eurovision to whitewash Israeli crimes”.
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