This was seen on Friday in a video that was broadcast on the Tiktok platform. A Palestinian flag was also burned during the action in the city center of Malmö, not far from two ESC venues. The Swedish police were criticized for allowing the Koran to be burned so close to the major event.
Starting on Saturday, there will be numerous concerts and parties in the southern Swedish city for a week, culminating in the big ESC finale on May 11th. A total of more than 100,000 visitors are expected in Malmö. In addition to the music events, several protest actions have also been announced once morest the backdrop of the Gaza war, including both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations.
On Thursday, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) tightened the travel warning for the Swedish city. Israelis planning to visit Malmö are advised to reconsider, it said. Swedish artists, among others, had called for Israel to be excluded from the ESC in view of the Gaza war. The organizers refused.
“Now pull yourself together, people”
The German participant Isaak told the news portal “ZDFheute.de” in an interview that he received a lot of messages on this topic. “I am accused of being an ‘accomplice in the Gaza genocide’ if I don’t boycott the ESC,” said the singer. “Now pull yourself together, guys, have you been drinking paint? We’re just a bunch of dudes who get together here and make music. The title of the event is “United by Music.” And when we say, Israel has to get out now “Because the government is making a fool of itself – then we’re no longer “United by Music”.”
The Eurovision Song Contest is the biggest music show in the world. After singer Loreen’s victory last year, the competition will take place in Sweden in 2024.
Kaleen will be representing Austria in Malmö with the song “We Will Rave”. Kaleen will compete with 15 other acts in the second semi-final on May 9th for one of ten final tickets. The final will take place on May 11th.
