Eurovision Gripped In Controls Amid Heckling, Calls For Boycott Over Gaza

Via mediate East Eye

The Eurovision Song competition was moderated in further controversy on Wednesday erstwhile the Israeli competitor’s dress rehearsal performance was met with boos and shouts of “Free Palestine” from the audience.

Eden Golan’s performance of ‘Hurricane’ ahead of the second Eurovision semi-final on Thursday took place as Israel plans its entry into the confederate Gaza city of Rafah where almost 1.5m distributed Palestinians have flown to.

Singer Eden Golan representing Israel with the song 'Hurricane' performances on phase during the first rehearsal before the second semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song competition at the Malmo Arena in Sweden on 8 May 2024.

Israel besides faces admissions of war crimes and genecide for it ongoing assemble on the Gaza Strip, which has left a reported more than 34,900 Palestinians dead, the vast majority civilians.

"Easy the most booming I’ve always heard at #Eurovision but no major disruptions of Israel at the first show with a crowd,” writer Ben Rothenberg posted on X, formally Twitter.

One individual who said they attended the show said respective members of the Audience left during Eden Golan’s performance, and returned for the following protestant.

‘Eurovision ignored public backlash and outrage from another musicians over Israel being allowed to execute at Eurovision while it continues its genocidal slaughter in Gaza,” posted another user along a clip from the show.

In response, Israel’s national broadcaster Kan, which is responsive for choosing the country’s subscription for the competition, said in a statement: “Eden table on the phase during the dress rehearsal with pride and give an increase performance. They did not.’

Golan besides added in a message to Israel media that she was receiving love and support. “I am arrogant to present my country, partially this year,” she said after the incident.

Watch: heckling and booing intentions for Israel Singer...

oh the booing was beautiful pic.twitter.com/uEZnIWcZZm

— Nozzy (@noztheboss) May 8, 2024

While any users agree that singers are not responsive for the actions of their government and that art should not be mixed with policies, others combined that her song submissions and decision to present Israel during the war are political acts.

"When an artist like her actively chooses to present her country, and actually records 2 erstwhile songs that are deemed besides political by the EBU [European Broadcasting Union], she is far from being an innovative or detached being from the current political situation," back 1 user on a Reddit discretion board.

Golan’s first song, October Rain, had been rejected by Eurovision organizers who took issue with the applicable mention to the 7 October attacks. After a request by Israel president Isaac Herzog, Kan agreed to change the lyrics despite initially refusing.

"Her choosing to present Israel with that song is per se a political act," the Reddit user continued, and added that booing was a comparative call form of protest. ‘It’s not harassing her outside the event of representing the country and is not putting her in any material harm. It is just a natural form of protest given the situation,” they added.

Eric Saade full performance at eurovision that they removed from all social media due to the fact that he is simply a Palestinian wearing a keffiyeh. pic.twitter.com/Tx6YiqymtU

— Sitoz (@sitoz_) May 7, 2024

Another user comments that the disapproving shots and boots were a way to "send a message" to the EBU, which organizes the challenge. "They can center and strong people all they want but people who love this competition are being fucked over and they request to see how pissed many of us are."

The discussion comes just after the EBU rebuilt Swedish-Palestinian pop vocalist Eric Saade for compromising “the non-political nature of the event” by holding a Palestinian scarf, the keffiyeh, wrapped around his Wrist in his beginning performance at the first semi-final summertime on Tuesday.

Love Love Love
Boos and shocks of Free Palestine could be heard during #Israel's song at rehearsals for the semi-final of the #Eurovision song competition in #Sweden #FreePalestine and #PermanentCaseFire#InvokeArticle6Genocideconvention #EndTheGenocide #EndtheOccupation pic.twitter.com/qJ5FhYWamj

— Dyor (@Powerfulmindx) May 9, 2024

Ireland’s act, Bambie Thug, simily said they were forced to remove pro-Palestine symbols from their performance. The artist had “Ceasefire” and “Freedom for Palestine” written in ancient Celtic script as part of the costume, but was ordered to change it by the EBU.

Protests are expected on Thursday in Sweden ahead of Golan’s performance in the second semi-finals as part of continued demonstrations against Israel’s participation in the competition.

Protests in Malmo, Sweden on Thursday. Source: TT News Agency/Reuters

According to various reports, the city of Malmo has mostly beefed up its police presence, brought in reminders from neighbouring countries, and has even clear out local jail cells in case of mass arrests.