Due to security reasons, she is also prohibited from attending competition events until the final, scheduled for May 11, Der Spiegel reports.
The Israeli secret service Shabak sent its agents to Malmö, Sweden, back in March to assess on the spot the conditions under which security would be provided for the Golan at Eurovision, and to determine what kind of security it would need. The number of security guards accompanying the singer has not been disclosed.
According to the newspaper, Swedish authorities are worried regarding possible incidents that might be provoked by pro-Palestinian activists. Malmö, the second largest city in Sweden, is traditionally home to many Palestinians.
The day before, May 3, a man and a woman burned a Koran outside the arena in Malmö and broadcast the event in real time on TikTok. Elsewhere in the city center, a Palestinian flag was burned. Social media users criticize the Swedish police for failing to prevent these protests.
Massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations with the participation of up to 20 thousand people, who will come from other parts of the country and from neighboring Denmark, are expected in Malmö during the Eurovision Song Contest. Swedish police are preparing for the possibility that “aggressive representatives of left-wing extremism” may be among the demonstrators.
The European Broadcasting Union warned of a ban on the use of Palestinian flags and any “pro-Palestinian symbols”, including banners with slogans, at the competition. Those who attempt to violate this restriction will be removed and flags and posters confiscated.
Car traffic around the arena, where the Eurovision semi-finals and finals will be held, was restricted by the police a few weeks ago – for the entire duration of the competition.
To ensure security at Eurovision, local police received reinforcements from Denmark and Norway.
Security within the arena is provided by the Swedish broadcaster SVT.
However, the media note that SVT was physically unable to check all 600 volunteers involved in Eurovision events.
First, Eden Golan submitted a song for the competition called “October Rain.” However, the text’s references to the attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023 were recognized as political – and, accordingly, violating the Eurovision charter. Golan will end up performing a reworked version called “Hurricane.”
The semi-finals of Eurovision 2024 will take place on May 7 and 9. Of these, 26 of the 37 participating countries will take part in the final, scheduled for May 11. It is expected that regarding 100 thousand people will attend the competition events in general.
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2024-05-04 23:18:34
