Protesters descend on Eurovision, object to Israel’s participation

The Washington Post, May 9

Thousands of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags are expected to flood Sweden’s third largest city on Thursday to protest Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest here this week. The annual celebration of music and kitsch, watched by more than 150 million people, is often enmeshed in politics. But some observers say this is the most politically charged edition of the contest in its 68-year history. For weeks, artists and activists have been calling on Eurovision to ban Israel over its war in Gaza. Sweden was already on heightened alert, anticipating the possibility of attacks in response to its accession to NATO in March, as well as a spate of Quran burnings. Security in Malmö this week is tight.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/09/eurovision-israel-protests-eden-golan/