Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites + social media
  • 10 May 2024 10:34
  • 8 Shares
4 Min Read

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

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

Related News

US Envoy calls Hamas ceasefire response 'totally unacceptable'

'Israel' setting dangerous precedent for IHL Gaza violations: Norway

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.”

I love the sound of the anti-booing tech for tonight's #eurovision2024 - Dystopian Pop!

— BELLA CALEDONIA (@bellacaledonia) May 9, 2024

This is happening as the number of Palestinians killed by "Israel" in Gaza nears 35,000, with 78,514 others injured, as per Gaza's Health Ministry.
 
Read more: Eurovision organizers ready to remove Palestinian flags, symbols

  • war on Gaza
  • Malmo
  • pro-Palestine protest
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • Gaza war
  • Sweden
  • Eurovision
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS