As Israeli contestant Eden Golan was taking the Eurovision stage inside Malmö Arena Saturday, Swedish police and anti-Israel protesters clashed outside, with some demonstrators — including climate activist Greta Thunberg — being led away by officers.
After Golan, 20, performed her song, “Hurricane,” members of the audience both cheered and booed her, according to the BBC’s Eurovision host Graham Norton — who called the reaction “mixed.”
Eden Golan, representing Israel, performs “Hurricane” during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. REUTERS
Eden Golan during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. REUTERSGolan has become a lightning rod at the explicitly apolitical Eurovision contest. Her very appearance on stage — and her advancement to the Eurovision final — has driven several fellow contestants batty.
But, none more so than Ireland’s Bambie Thug — a nonbinary singer who performed on stage with a jet-black demon costume.
After Golan made the final, Bambie Thug told reporters they cried with their team. They also posted a video being told they could not wear face makeup on stage that demanded a cease-fire in Gaza.
Raiven of Slovenia performs the song Veronika during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. AP
Demonstrators face police during a protest against the participation of Israeli contestant Eden Golan ahead of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. APThousands of protesters with Palestinian flags gathered in the central square of host city Malmö, Sweden, before making their way toward the contest’s venue.
Sweden’s crown jewel of climate activism, Thunberg, was among those escorted off the property.
Video shows the 21-year-old environmentalist being carried away by two police officers as her anti-Israel peers shouted “Shame!”
Around her neck, Thunberg wore a keffiyeh, an Arabic facial covering that has been adopted by anti-Israel protesters since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack.
Chants of “Eurovision united by genocide” could be heard — a play on the show’s slogan, “United by music.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters opposing Israel’s participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest demonstrate in Sweden. AFP via Getty ImagesAnti-Israel protesters claim the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, is playing favorites, having banned Russia from Eurovision in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
The chaos and conflict ironically erupted shortly before Switzerland — notorious for staying neutral in world disputes — took home the Eurovision win.
Singer Nemo was awarded first place after winning the public vote and 365 points from judges, a 147-point lead over second-place France.
Golan for Israel — considered one of the contest’s frontrunners — briefly led the popular vote, but was quickly unseated by Croatia, and then ultimately Switzerland.
Nemo, 24, was one of two nonbinary performers, along with Ireland’s Bambie Thug.
Prior to the show, Dutch contestant Joost Klein, considered one of the favorites, was expelled from the competition after a member of the production crew complained about his behavior.
—With Post wires
