Eurovision; microcosm of global disdain toward 'Israel' over Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites + social media
10 May 2024 10:34

In a significant display of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, thousands demonstrate in Malmo against "Israel's" participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

People protest at a pro-Palestinian rally ahead of the second semifinal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, May 9, 2024. (AP)

Thousands of demonstrators supporting the Palestinian cause and protesting the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza congregated in the Swedish city of Malmo on Thursday to oppose "Israel's" participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The demonstration coincided with the city's hosting of the competition's second semi-final, during which Israeli representative, Eden Golan, performed.

During a rehearsal of her song "Hurricane" on Wednesday, Golan faced jeers from the audience.

Israeli contestant Eden Golan was booed during her Eurovision performance. pic.twitter.com/4JbUC1Uy59
— S p r i n t e r F a c t o r y (@Sprinterfactory) May 9, 2024

Before Golan's performance, more than 12,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on the streets, as per the Swedish police.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in Eurovision 2024 host city Malmo to protest "Israel's" participation in the song contest ahead of this year's second semi-final.

"Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should… pic.twitter.com/2EM1pWaA7A
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 10, 2024

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among the attendees at the pro-Palestinian demonstration, emphasizing, as quoted by BBC, the moral imperative to speak out and take action against Israeli aggression in Gaza.

"If we are tens of thousands of people flooding the streets of Malmo when Eurovision is taking place, saying we will not accept this to continue, then it's a very strong signal – and it does make a difference," Thunberg said.

" My children are dying right now !
My children !
Oh God! "

The anguished plea of a father, seeking help to rescue his children after an Israeli missile struck their home directly in #Rafah.

The grieving father’s cries ‼️#GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/jGyzcgjbY2
— Nour Naim| نُور (@NourNaim88) May 9, 2024

Nine pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested as police cracked down on the protest, dispersing crowds with pepper spray.

Pivotal Pro-Palestinian moments: Icons of advocacy

During Eden Golan's performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, there were clear protest reactions from the audience, with many booing and shouting slogans, most notably "Free Palestine".

Que no nos engañen con aplausos enlatados, deberían de respetar al público y no quitar el sonido ambiente: así ha sido la actuación real de #ısrael #EurovisionRTVE

pic.twitter.com/Utw1HloesZ
— Diego Rodríguez (@CGT_Diego) May 9, 2024

Simultaneously, the European Broadcasting Union utilized technology to prevent booing sounds from reaching the live broadcast. Golan reportedly practiced singing while facing booing in preparation for her performance.

In Belgium, Dutch-language public broadcaster, VRT, interrupted its broadcast with an on-screen pro-Palestinain message, condemning "Israel" for human rights violations and accusing it of suppressing press freedom, accompanied by hashtags #CeaseFireNow #StopGenocideNow.

🇧🇪 Before the start of tonight's second semi-final, Belgian broadcaster VRT displayed a message by their trade union condemning the human rights violations by Israel.

It furthermore accused Israel of destroying freedom of press.

[🎥 VRT] pic.twitter.com/XkC6ioXjUW
— ESC Discord (@ESCdiscord) May 9, 2024

Belgium’s Mustii, who did not progress to the final, wrote "peace" on his upper arm before taking the stage, a gesture he did not make during rehearsals.

Ireland’s entry, Bambie Thug, was told to remove makeup from their face and legs that spelled out “ceasefire” and “freedom for Palestine” in a medieval Celtic script, according to the Irish Times.

Bless.
— Scott Thornbury (@thornburyscott) May 10, 2024

I just read Fred Leone’s (Australia 2024) instagram post and this man is amazing not only he represented the culture of his people he also took a symbolic stance against the genocide in Gaza 🫶 if only 🇦🇺 qualified tho
✌🏽🇵🇸 #Eurovision #BanIsraelFromEurovision pic.twitter.com/5Bu6jnhvLo
— that guy talal (@talalazbi) May 8, 2024

During the first semifinal, the opening act, Eric Saade, wore a Koufiyyeh around his wrist as a protest. On his part, Irish entry Bambie Thug revealed the EBU compelled them to erase pro-Palestinian writing from their face and leg.

In the same context, Australian musician Fred Leone states he adorned body paint resembling a watermelon as a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians.

Marina’s expressions while they were interviewing Ed*n. Marina Satti you will ALWAYS be famous
pic.twitter.com/nUQwA1kJdR
— george 🎲 | 🇳🇴🇱🇹🇮🇪 (@escldr) May 9, 2024

At the press conference at Malmo Arena following the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Marina Satti from Greece was observed making gestures while the Israeli participant was speaking, in clear protest against "Israel's" participation amid the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza.

Viewers report use of 'anti-booing' technology

Meanwhile, Eurovision viewers have claimed that fake crowd noise was used to drown out the boos for the performance of the Israeli contestant.

During the semi-final on Thursday evening, many took to X to claim there was “anti-booing” technology being used during "Israel’s" performance as Golan was once again met with boos from the crowd.

One user said, “All the booing from the audience at Israel’s performance, that they didn’t let you hear on TV by using anti-booing technology and fake cheering sounds.”

“All the cheering you hear during Israel’s act is actually booing,” commented a second person.

REMINDER if you hear cheers for israel during the broadcast it’s cause of the ebu is using anti-booing technique trying to cover up boos with fake cheers for tv, but this is how it’s actually like inside the arena ‼️ #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/3Cs9oESnaa
— rasmus (@rasmusbravado) May 9, 2024

Elsewhere, the Bella Caledonia account tweeted, “I love the sound of the anti-booing tech for tonight’s #eurovision2024.”