Eurovision organizers ready to remove Palestinian flags, symbols
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Pro-Palestine activists are scheduled to hold major protests in Malmo, where the even will occur, protesting the participation of the occupation.
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Alyosha from Ukraine performs as a show act during the first semi final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, May 9, 2023 (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
According to The Independent, the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced Thursday that they have the right to prohibit any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestine symbols from the performance next week in Sweden.
The declaration came amid rising criticism about "Israel's" participation in the annual music competition following its seven-month assault on Gaza.
Pro-Palestine activists are scheduled to hold major protests in Malmo, where the event will occur, protesting the participation of the occupation.
Eurovision rejected in January demands to disqualify "Israel" from the competition, despite the death toll of its genocidal war exceeding 34,000 Palestinians at the time, the majority being women and children.
Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the program each year, stated that ticket holders are only permitted to carry and display flags of nations that participate in the event, as well as the rainbow flag.
The Geneva-based EBU maintains the authority "to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items, and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalizing the TV shows, "Roverelli told The Associated Press.
Swedish police have warned that security would be tight due to a terrorist threat, and applications to burn the Quran before the event.
Sweden upgraded its terror threat level last year in response to a string of Quran burnings that sparked demonstrations across the Muslim world.
Back in February, "Israel" threatened to withdraw from this year's Eurovision Song Contest if the lyrics to its entry song were deemed "too political".
Israeli singer Eden Golan and her song "October Rain" have been chosen to compete in the annual competition, which will take place in Malmo, Sweden, in May.
At the time, reports stated that the song, which is largely in English with some Hebrew phrases, references the unfolding events of the Palestinian Resistance's operation on October 7.
