Israel’s fans react: – Go to the room

MALMÖ / OSLO (See og Hør): Tonight, Eden Golan takes to the stage during the second final of Eurovision to represent Israel.

Golan appeared for the first time to the press and fans on Wednesday, after several days where she seemed to have sunk into the ground.

At her hotel, snipers have been observed on the roof, and the lobby is full of Israeli security guards, according to Se og Hør’s reporter in Malmö.

– Can beat Sweden!

The Israeli security service Shin Bet has asked Golan and the delegation to stay in the room except when going to official events or entering the arena to compete, based on the security situation, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

“The Shin Bet is in close contact with the Israeli broadcaster KAN regarding all security challenges, and it is clear that their task is more complicated than ever this year,” writes the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.

They add that Israel’s previous artist, Noa Kirel, was accompanied by four Shin Bet agents and two local police officers when the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) was held in Liverpool last year.

“Now it is expected that the security apparatus will consist of at least ten agents, but the exact number depends on the size of the delegation,” writes Israel Hayom.

On Thursday, it is expected that over 20,000 people from various European countries will take part in the demonstration, which is being held in protest against Israel’s participation.

– It’s hurtful

Se og Hør meets Tal Dahan (21) and Chacha Asido (19) from the Israeli Eurovision website Euromix. They say that the audience left the arena before Golan went on stage yesterday, and returned after she had finished. Others turned their backs.

– It is as expected, but even though we were prepared for this, it is hurtful, they say to Se og Hør.

– Can you understand that people react to Israel’s participation?

– It’s complicated. People are full of hate and cannot separate people from politics. If you can’t hear the Israeli song, then don’t come here.

Golan says that the negative response from the audience makes her more proud, and willing to give even more, according to them.

– She is so strong. We are so proud of her and our country. She is more mature than several of those covering the competition, they say.

– Demonstrations have been announced here in the city. Do you feel safe?

Races in Israel: – Repulsive

– We stay away from the city center at night, and do not speak Hebrew outdoors. There is a lot of security around the arena, and we feel very safe here.

– Yesterday we were at Cornelia Jacob’s concert (Sweden’s Eurovision participant in 2022, journ.anm), and we got really anxious. We saw a lot of Palestinian flags, people shouted after us and assumed we were from Israel since we don’t look European. Luckily there were security guards there so we went with them.

– It is ironic that this year’s slogan is “United by music”, when we have never been more divided.

Several steps have been taken

As Se og Hør has mentioned, police officers from all over Sweden, Norway and Denmark will help ensure that the event runs smoothly. They must be “very many” in number, they must be armed, and they must be prepared to handle “a number of different scenarios”.

A number of measures have also been taken. The guards who will let the public in have been instructed to stop people with Palestinian flags and signs with political messages.

The Israeli authorities have also tightened the travel advice to Malmö. It has been upgraded from two to three.

The former level implies that a “possible threat” exists, while the new level implies a moderate threat. It also means that Israelis who have planned to travel to the city should reconsider whether the trip is necessary.

The increased level applies during the period when Eurovision is held.

Dropping the family

The Shin Bet chief visited Malmö

– What kind of security measures do you think Israel itself is taking ahead of Eurovision, with regard to its delegation and visitors?

– I believe the Israeli authorities have prepared a separate threat and risk assessment, based on their own intelligence sources, for the event. They have also certainly exchanged information with other countries, including Sweden, says the Swedish intelligence and security expert at Lund University, Tony Ingesson, to Se og Hør.

Shin Bet’s top commander, Ronan Bar, visited Malmö himself to assist with the security work around the delegation and Israelis last week, according to Israeli Ynet.

– It also appears that the Shin Bet will send more security personnel, probably specialists in personal protection, i.e. bodyguards, to be present and accompany them for the next few days, says Ingesson.

– Real risk

– How will Shin Bet operate?

– They will probably keep an eye on their people and have the task of bringing them to safety if something happens. Their opportunities to do something beyond this are relatively limited, says Ingesson.

He himself says that it is difficult to assess the security situation and how real the danger of an attack is, but:

– There is always a real risk of various types of attacks or similar in connection with large events. This risk becomes even greater when an event takes place while a conflict is ongoing, and an involved actor, who for example has an interest in seeking attention, participates.

We review song by song

Israel’s artist and delegation have already refrained from taking part in the opening ceremony of Eurovision, on the grounds that it coincided with the Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day and Heroism, Yom Hashva.

The first of a total of two semi-finals in the singing competition started on Tuesday, while the second semi-final starts on Thursday. It is only here that Israel’s Eden Golan will go up in flames.

If she is among the ten who advance, the stage is set for Saturday’s final.

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