Demonstrators set off smoke flares in the Palestinian colors during a noisy but peaceful rally to criticize Israel and call for a cease-fire in its conflict with Hamas, chanting and yelling slogans such as “Israel is a terror state.”
The Anti-Defamation League defines the first of the slogans chanted by the demonstrators as a “antisemitic slogan commonly featured in anti-Israel campaigns and chanted at demonstrations,” a highly controversial reference to the creation of a Palestinian state.
The ADL asserts that the slogan “fundamentally calls for a Palestinian state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, territory that includes the State of Israel, which would mean the dismantling of the Jewish state.” Conversely, a significant number of protesters condemn the slogan on the basis of its racist or violent nature. The accusation is antisemitic in nature, as it undermines the Jewish right to self-determination by implying the expulsion of Jews from their ancestral homeland.
During the demonstration in Malmö on Thursday, a helicopter hovered overhead and a significant number of law enforcement personnel were stationed on rooftops with binoculars.
Amani Eli-Ali, a Palestinian resident of Malmo, emphasized the importance of being present. “It is intolerable for Sweden to host this Eurovision competition with Israel as a participant.”
Malmö’s tumultuous ambiance amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict was a stark contrast to the Eurovision week. In the streets, Palestinian cause advocates wore traditional keffiyeh scarves and coexisted with music enthusiasts who were adorned with vibrant sequins or brandishing their respective national flags.
A pedestrianized thoroughfare has been temporarily designated as “Eurovision Street,” and Palestinian flags are affixed to balconies and windows there.
The Eurovision final is scheduled for Saturday, and pro-Palestinian organizations will once again perform a march.
During the competition in Malmö, the Israeli government conveyed “tangible concern” about the potential for Israelis to be the target of an attack.
The administrators of Eurovision, who assert that they are committed to a non-political program with this year’s theme of unity through music, have declined requests to exclude Israel due to the manner in which it conducts its war against Hamas.
Nevertheless, Israel was directed to alter the lyrics of its entry, which was initially titled “October Rain” and appear to have referenced Hamas’ cross-border terrorist attack on October 7, which resulted in the fatalities of approximately 1,200 Israelis and sparked the conflict. Eden Golan, an Israeli vocalist, was authorized to advance further in the competition after the song was renamed “Hurricane.”
She was scheduled to compete in the semi-finals on Thursday evening. During Golan’s performance at a dress rehearsal on Wednesday, several spectators were overheard criticizing.
Critics of Israel’s participation in Eurovision have cited the fact that Russia was expelled from the competition in 2022 due to its extensive invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus was expelled a year prior due to its government’s suppression of dissent.
The participation of Israel, according to Anders Trolle-Schultz, a resident of Malmo who was present at the demonstration, impeded our ability to unite through music.
“In my opinion, Malmö should have retained Eurovision; however, we should have either advised Israel to abstain or suggested that they consider inviting a Palestinian music ensemble to participate in the event.” That guarantees equity.
