Israel’s Eden Golan (20) was surrounded by security forces on his way to the arena in Malmö. On Thursday evening, she will be on stage during the Eurovision Song Contest.
Twelve cars, six motorcycles and a helicopter protected the Golan.
The police have also set up a fence outside the entrance to the hotel in the Golan, where she and the entire Israeli delegation are staying. There were heavily armed police around the hotel, according to Aftonbladet.
Police cars had blue lights on and several roads were blocked to transport the artist safely.
Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad is also on the scene.
Also read: Malmö is holding its breath
In March, it became known that Israel was allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, after many loud voices expressed that they did not want Israel’s participation – because of the war in Gaza.
Several critics have believed that the lyrics of the first contribution “October Rain” were too closely related to the Hamas attack on participants during the Supernova festival on 7 October 2023.
The organizer European Broadcasting Union (EBU) also agreed, and believed that the text was too political.
But the country was given a deadline to change the lyrics, and was finally allowed to participate with the song “Hurricane”.
Expected demonstrations
On Thursday, more than 30,000 demonstrators are expected in the city streets, ready to protest against Israel’s warfare in Gaza.
– It is up to the people what they do. They have the right to say what they think, Golan said in a Reuters interview before this year’s Eurovision.
Sweden has deployed security measures such as over 1,000 police officers on the streets, helicopters, armored cars and police boats. Bomb dogs are also used.
When Golan conducted sound tests on Thursday, there were boos from parts of the audience, writes Aftonbladet. A Palestinian flag was also observed in the audience.
– They did not stop her and they will not stop us, said the Israeli broadcaster KAN in a statement after the tests.
– I’m very excited
– The competition’s reference group, the governing body, made the decision to accept the song “Hurricane” for the upcoming competition after careful review of the text, the song competition’s communications team wrote in an email to VG when the participation was announced.
Golan expressed her satisfaction with the decision on social media:
– Hello friends, I am very excited, said a Golan on Instagram after the participation was approved by the EBU.
The 20-year-old also said that she believes it is more important than ever to stand on stage to represent the country.
