Eurovision Song Contest host Sweden braces for anti-Israel protests

Sweden said it plans to host a dazzling Eurovision Song Contest, watched by 200 million people worldwide, but visitors face heightened security amid planned protests over Israel’s participation and a new geo-political backdrop since Sweden joined NATO.

The contest, the world’s biggest of its kind, takes place in Malmo from May 7-11 and is expected to draw 100,000 visitors to Sweden’s third-largest city, which has a large Muslim population. Organizers plan a special tribute to Swedish pop group ABBA, who won Eurovision 50 years ago this year.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the contest, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded due to its war in Gaza. Controversy over the conflict has already hit various cultural events across Europe.

Much focus is expected to be on Israeli contestant Eden Golan and her song Hurricane, as multiple large pro-Palestinian protests are planned outside the venue in Malmo.

Israel was permitted to compete after it agreed to modify the lyrics of its original song October Rain which the EBU said made reference to the October 7 Hamas onslaught in Israel.

Last week, Israeli media reported that Golan received a directive from Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) officials, urging her to remain confined to her hotel room during her stay in Malmo. According to the reports, Golan and her entourage were advised to limit their movements outside of performances and official events due to heightened security concerns.

Sweden is hosting the annual competition for the seventh time, after Swedish singer Loreen won last year’s competition in Liverpool with her song Tattoo.

Ebba Adielsson, executive Eurovision producer from Swedish broadcaster SVT, promised “some smashing shows.” She ruled out an ABBA reunion but said the event would celebrate the group’s 1974 win with their song Waterloo, a victory that launched the band onto the international stage.

Swiss contestant Nemo is the favorite to win this year, according to bookmakers, followed by Croatia's Baby Lasagna, Joost Klein of the Netherlands, and Italy's Angelina Mango.

"High threat-level"

Visitors from 89 countries expected in Malmo will have to pass through airport-like security checks when entering venues around the city.

“There’s a high threat level combined with a lot of people,” said Per-Erik Ebbestahl, Malmo’s security director.

Organizers face the risk of protests escalating into violence, heightened terror threats in the country, and increased tensions with Russia after Sweden’s NATO membership.

In central Malmo, there are official posters for Eurovision but also protest banners replicating the same colorful design, with the word Eurovision replaced by “genocide” and the words: “Israel out of Eurovision or Eurovision out of Malmo.”

Orwa Kadoura, a Palestinian living in Malmo and one of the organizers of the protests, said the Israeli delegation was “here to represent Israel and their government, which is committing acts of genocide right now.”

Police say security will be tighter compared with when Sweden last hosted the event in 2016.

“The situation around the world is complex, and also the security for Sweden is different,” said Malmo Police Chief Petra Stenkula. “We are ready for anything that can happen.”

Eurovision begins on Tuesday, May 7, with the first semi-final, followed by a second semi-final two days later and the final on Saturday, May 11.