LAST UPDATE | 9 May
A SMALL COHORT of Irish Eurovision fans joined a major protest in Malmö this afternoon calling for Israel to be expelled from the song contest as it continues its months-long bombardment of Gaza.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision, which has been a point of contention for pro-Palestine activists for years, has sparked particular anger this year, with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) facing calls for Israel to be dropped from the competition.
A large protest gathered for speeches at around 3pm this afternoon in a square – Stortorget – near the centre of the port city before moving off.
Thousands of people marched, waved Palestinian flags and carried banners criticising Eurovision, with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg among the attendees.
The Journal spoke to a number of demonstrators about what brought them to the protest.
Rory Flynn of Eurovision Fans against Genocide was one of a group of four Irish fans at the demonstration.
“We’re a group of Irish Eurovision fans who are opposed to the participation of Israel this year in Eurovision,” Rory said.
“Other members are doing a full boycott and [we have] full respect for people who are doing a full boycott. We think it’s important to make our voices heard here,” he said.
“It is completely inappropriate for Israel to be given this propaganda platform while they’re carrying out a genocide in Gaza.”
The big pro Gaza protest now under way in Malmo pic.twitter.com/IALv0wXLAr
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) May 9, 2024
Seamus White from Dublin said he is “disgusted the European Broadcasting Union is allowing Israel to participate in the Eurovision given the ongoing genocide and oppression of Palestinian people”.
A “long-time” fan of Eurovision, he said this week is usually one of “joy and meeting up with old friends – but this year has been totally, obviously, overshadowed by Israel’s participation”.
Seamus has tickets for tonight’s semi-final and the Grand Final on Saturday but is not planning to attend this evening due to Israel’s involvement and will “have to make a decision” about Saturday if Israel’s act qualifies.
He said he attended the first semi-final on Tuesday and that the atmosphere was the “flattest” he has ever experienced. “There’s certainly an undertone of unhappiness among some fans at the way things have been handled this year by the EBU.”
A young woman from Malmö who is part of the group Queers for Palestine, who asked not to be named, said it was “important to show that we support Palestine and that we do not want Israel to participate in Eurovision”.
“I love Eurovision. This is a dream come true that they come to Malmö but I can’t go this year because Israel is participating.”
She said that in addition to local Swedish people at the protest, she was aware of several hundred protesters who had travelled from Norway and Denmark specifically to support the demonstration.
She refuted the EBU’s stance that Eurovision is a non-political contest, citing Russia’s expulsion two years ago after its invasion of Ukraine. “Eurovision is a political contest and it will always be very political.”
20-year-old singer Eden Golan is due to perform as Israel’s entry in the second semi-final at Malmö Arena this evening. The current betting odds suggest she is expected to receive enough votes to return for Saturday’s Grand Final.
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