The organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, EBU, has decided that Palestinian flags or signs with political messages inside the arena in Malmö will be prohibited.
Thursday 2 May at 07:23
That’s what Göteborgs-Posten writes.
Anyone who tries to bring a Palestinian flag or sign with a political message will be stopped in the entrance.
Only flags of the countries participating in Eurovision are allowed inside the arena. A single exception is made, and that is for the Pride flag, if it is used in a non-political context.
Also read: Norwegian artists sing against Israel’s participation in Eurovision
Several tens of demonstrations have been requested in Malmö during Eurovision week and the ban on the Palestinian flag is yet another attempt to keep the event itself as apolitical as possible, according to Göteborgsposten.
The Palestine flag has been the subject of several silent protests throughout Eurovision history due to Israel’s presence in the event and the country’s treatment of the Palestinian minority.
This year, this has been reinforced due to Israel’s warfare in Gaza.
In 2019, Madonna held the halftime show during the international final in Tel Aviv. Norwegian Mona Berntsen was one of the dancers. When she turned her back, tens of millions of television viewers could see Berntsen dancing with the Palestinian flag on her back.
The organizers did not like this, as the stunt was not announced in advance or performed at any of Madonna’s rehearsals. Mona Berntsen herself had to be questioned afterwards.
In the same year, Icelandic Hatari waved the Palestinian flag in the green room. They were fined 5,000 Euros for the invention.
TIX also slipped in the Palestinian flag on his forearm when he performed during this year’s Melodi Grand Prix final.
Tags: Ban Palestine flag Eurovision
