Responding to the call of the collective “Stop Israel, for peace and a free Palestine”, some demonstrators came from Denmark and Germany by bus or train. They are surrounded by large police forces and chant “long live Palestine” or “No to Israel in Eurovision”, directly targeting the participation of Israeli singer Eden Golan in the second semi-final of the competition which is to be held in the evening.
High terrorist threat: Malmö police on edge before Eurovision
Police on alert
Helicopters and drones roam the sky, armed police officers are omnipresent on the ground. Obviously, the Swedish police have placed themselves on maximum alert and have given themselves the means to prevent any excess during the three demonstrations planned for the day: two pro-Palestinian and one in favor of Israel.
Posing in front of a “Jews for a Free Palestine” banner, Klaus Goldschmidt, a member of the Danish organization “Jews for Justice,” thinks he is “essential that the Jewish state feels that it is not welcome when it commits so many human rights violations in Gaza. This is important for me to point out as a Jew, because I do not identify with the terrible things this state is doing. No Israel does not speak for Jews around the world” he insists.
”No Israel has no place in this competition with the atrocities committed by its army” fulminates Yasser, a Syrian refugee in Malmö. Like many demonstrators, he accuses the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of “double standards”, excluding Russia from the competition in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine, but refuses to do the same for Israel.
An entrenched camp
Some six kilometers from the city center, far from the shouts of the crowd, the Malmö Arena resembles an entrenched camp. The competition site, which is prohibited from any gathering, is surrounded by barbed wire, mobile iron fences equipped with spikes, and monitored by heavily armed police and armored vehicles.
“United by music”, the new slogan of the Eurovision Song Contest displayed on the facade of the Malmö Arena, seems far out of step with reality, as the 68th edition of this global musical event appears controversial. “This 2024 competition is the most politically sensitive ever organized due to the Israeli war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation there” says Magnus Ranstorp, terrorism expert at the Swedish Defense Academy.
Sweden, which this year is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the coronation of its legendary group ABBA at Eurovision in 1974, has taken drastic measures to ensure the security of this global event, fearing possible attacks and violent demonstrations. Especially since the Scandinavian kingdom has for the last two years been a priority target of violent Islamist groups, particularly due to the burning of the Koran, which continued last Friday in Malmö, on the eve of the opening of the week dedicated to Eurovision.
Israel advises its nationals against stays in Malmö for Eurovision
Terrorist threat
According to Swedish police, the war in Gaza and Israel’s participation in the competition could incite Islamist terrorist groups to disrupt or attack the competition in various ways. “The police have long been aware of such threats. We have mobilized police resources, including from neighboring countries, to respond to any eventuality in a safe and efficient manner.” assures Robert Loeffel, head of communications for the southern region police.
”We respect freedom of expression and demonstration. But we set limits and will show low tolerance for troublemakers, those who commit acts of vandalism” warned Petra Stenkula, head of the Malmö police district, who called for police reinforcements from neighboring countries Denmark and Norway to ensure maximum security in the days to come.
