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
Israeli media: At least 3 barrages of missiles were fired and are still being fired toward 'Israel'
Israeli media: More than 20 Iranian missiles are suspected to have made impact in Haifa and the inner plain area
Israeli platform: A major Iranian attack and ongoing warnings - an attack in multiple waves
A new wave of Iranian missile attacks on the Israeli entity
Israeli media: A huge explosion heard in Tel Aviv after sirens stopped sounding
Israeli media: A misisle made impact in Haifa
Israeli Home Front: Missile launch toward 'Israel' detected
Iranian air defenses in East Azerbaijan Province thwarted several Israeli air attacks from last night until this morning
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran: Speculation surrounding the recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites is unfounded and lacks credible evidence
Ritter to Al Mayadeen: Trump has put the international community in a state of threat

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

Palestine Action sabotages RAF base over UK role in Gaza war

Israel kills over 34 Palestinians in 24 hours in Gaza

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

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran’s Bavar-373 air defense system on display during a military drill (Mehr News Agency)
Politics

Iran intercepts Israeli drones near Tehran, multiple cities

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran warns aid to 'Israel' will be treated as aggression

US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
Politics

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

Ansar Allah supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-US and anti-'Israel' weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US ships in Red Sea will be targeted if US attacks Iran: YAF

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