It is this Thursday, May 9 that Eden Golan, the candidate who represents Israel in the 68th Eurovision contest, makes her entry into the competition. The Israeli delegation is absent from all official events and meet the fans in Malmö in Sweden where Eurovision takes place.
The city was placed under very high police protection. Sweden called for reinforcements from neighboring countries such as Denmark. Before Eden Golan’s performance, demonstrations are planned in Malmö, 25,000 demonstrators are expected in this city which is home to the largest Palestinian community in Sweden.
On RTL, Loreen, double winner of Eurovision in 2012 with Euphoria and in 2023 with Tattoo, appeals to those protesting against Israel’s participation in the competition.
Eden Golan, Israel’s candidate for Eurovision 2024
Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett EBU
Speaking to RTL, singer Loreen says “look at these reactions (like for example when people talk about boycotts) with understanding. Each of us, you, me, everyone, feels very confused seeing what we let’s see (the war between Israel and Hamas). And we feel pain and we deal with this pain differently. Some people laugh, some cry, some are silent, some are frustrated. some become aggressive. It is an expression of confusion, because we do not know what to do. It’s a very complicated situation. We are looking for answers and we have different ways of finding them. That’s why I never judge these situations.”
To those who protest, Loreen says: “You cannot heal trauma through aggression. Trauma can only be healed with love. And this thing we do (Eurovision) is not just a song competition. It’s a space where everyone feels happy around creativity and music. This is so, so important today. We must respect this and we need to make it bigger so that we can balance this distortion and this negative energy and try to heal our brothers who are doing this crazy thing (war).”
On Tuesday evening, during the first semi-final, Swedish singer Eric Saade, whose father is Palestinian, wore a keffiyeh around his arm while performing his song Popular with which he finished on the third step of the podium at Eurovision in 2011.
Eric Saade had protested against Israel’s participation in the competition. The EBU did not appreciate this gesture described as “political”, just like the broadcaster of Eurovision in Sweden: SVT. “It is regrettable that he uses his participation in this way,” Ebba Adielsson, the show’s executive producer, told AFP.
“Eurovision is a live show. Everyone who performs there knows the rules and we regret that Eric Saade has decided to compromise with the idea of a neutral competition,” responded the EBU. who organizes the competition.
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