The short version
- Ing-Marie Axelsson (73) supports Palestine, but cheers for Israel’s Eden Golan (20) in Eurovision
- Close to 35,000 people killed during Israel’s warfare in Gaza
- The EBU is criticised, and large demonstrations are taking place in Malmö
- Israel is now in second place on the betting list for victory in Eurovision
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Ing-Marie Axelsson (73) smiles and waves to VG’s photographer. In Eurovision, she has a clear favourite.
– I love that song. Israel’s song. It is so good, she exclaims to VG.
She believes – unlike many of the others that VG meets in Malmö – that you can distinguish between politics and music.
– I absolutely give a shit about Netanyahu, says the 73-year-old from the veranda.
She says that the flag hangs there to support the Palestinian people.
– He probably doesn’t care about our demonstrations, she says of Israel’s prime minister and the large demonstrations that have taken place in Malmö.
This year there has been great tension surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision, after Israel entered Gaza and started the war against Hamas following the terrorist attack on 7 October last year.
So far, close to 35,000 people have been killed during the country’s warfare in Gaza, according to NTB.
Shortly after Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal on Monday this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they would continue the planned ground operation in Rafah.
US President Joe Biden says that the US will not send Israel weapons if it carries out the announced ground invasion in Rafah, where around 1.3 million Palestinians have now taken refuge.
In recent months, the EBU has received harsh criticism for allowing Israel to participate in the song contest, at the same time that the bombs continue to fall on the Gaza Strip.
Street demonstrations, terror fears and strict security measures have caused unrest in Malmö in recent days.
Rafah is a town in southern Gaza, and recently Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the border crossing there. This is important because the Rafah crossing is a main route for emergency aid into Gaza, and the control over this could affect the access to aid and the evacuation of the sick and injured to hospitals in Egypt.
The primary parties in this conflict are Israel and Hamas. Israel is the country that has taken control of the border crossing, while Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that rules Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been going on for many years, but the latest escalation started after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which led to a full-scale war. Israel aims to remove Hamas from power, while Hamas and other Palestinian groups fight against Israeli occupation.
International actors such as the EU, UN, China and Egypt have expressed deep concern about the situation. They have condemned Israel’s actions and called for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The UN has also reported that they have been denied access to the Rafah crossing, hampering their ability to deliver emergency aid.
Yes, negotiations are ongoing with brokers from Egypt, Qatar and the USA. Hamas has expressed a willingness to discuss a ceasefire, and there has been talk of an agreement that includes the release of hostages and prisoners, as well as measures to ease the blockade of Gaza. But the situation is very uncertain, and previous agreements have not led to lasting peace.
On Thursday, a number of demonstrations were held in Malmö.
Around 30,000 people took to the streets to take part in mainly pro-Palestinian but also pro-Israeli demonstrations.
On Saturday – during the final – there will be new demonstrations.
There has been a visible police presence in Malmö throughout Eurovision week.
You can see them at Folkets park, Malmö arena and the hotel where Edel Golan lives, among other places.
From several windows, residents in the center of the city have hung Palestinian flags.
Over 1,000 police officers are responsible for security in the Swedish city.
Norwegian and Danish police are assisting in this work.
Among other things, security measures such as helicopters, armored cars and police boats have been put in place. Bomb dogs are also used.
At the same time that several thousand demonstrators protested against Israel’s warfare in Gaza in Malmö on Thursday evening, Israel was read out as one of the candidates for Saturday’s Eurovision final.
After Thursday’s broadcast, 20-year-old Eden Golan has climbed to second place on the betting charts of who will take the win this year.
Inside Folkets park – which has been renamed Eurovision Village – there are several events related to Eurovision.
While on the outside the wall is wallpapered with posters.
“Malmö against genocide” it says, with a logo reminiscent of that of the music competition.
– This is not the folk festival we should have had, says Vendela Axelsson (27), as she hangs up another poster.
She says that she wishes Israel were excluded from Eurovision.
– There is a lot of politics. There are many emotions and there are many police with weapons here, she says.
– Do you feel safe in Malmö now?
– I actually feel safe. Because it feels like the whole town has rallied behind this. The scariest thing is actually the police.
– What do you think will happen if Israel wins tomorrow?
– I think there will be quite a lot of anger and disappointment.
Elna Nissen (23), Georg Jakimainen (24) and Daniel Popov Shabani (29) have taken a Palestinian flag into the streets.
– Personally, I don’t care that much about Eurovision. But Israel’s participation in general is pure hypocrisy, says Shabani to VG.
He has traveled from Stockholm to demonstrate.
– We say that we have had a standard when we banned Russia because they invaded Ukraine. But when Israel commits genocide against Palestine, suddenly it is no longer political. What makes this genocide not count?, he asks.
He stands with Elna Nissen (23), who lives in Malmö. She is angry, she tells VG.
– I think that all Malmö residents who are angry right now are not really angry that Israel is in Eurovision. This is about the fact that we have stood and shouted at every single demonstration since 7 October that we want to be listened to by our politicians, says Elna
– People want to see change and people want to be listened to. And that is why we demonstrate. It’s not about Eurovision, she says.
– What do you think will happen tomorrow if Israel wins Eurovision?
– I think people will be angry. I hope so. That anger is righteous.
Tove Beckmann (22) says that she will watch Saturday’s final in the Malmö arena.
She says she is surprised that Israel got so many votes.
– I don’t think it is good that they are allowed to participate, and it will be problematic if they win and the final is in Israel next year.
Israel has made a dent in the odds list, and is in second place on the betting lists on Friday.
In Malmö, large security forces have been deployed due to Israel’s participation.
– Are you afraid that there will be riots if Israel wins?
– I think there could be some noise, there is probably a risk of that. But I’m not really worried that it will affect the city that much.
There have been reactions to Israel’s participation in Eurovision from all over the world.
A survey by Respons Analyze on behalf of VG shows that one in five Norwegians will boycott Eurovision because of Israel’s participation. Two out of three think Israel should not participate.
In Belgium, the trade union in the national broadcaster VRT interrupted a broadcast of Eurovision to demonstrate against Israel’s participation in the competition.
– We condemn the violations of human rights by the state of Israel. Israel also destroys freedom of the press. That is why we are pausing the picture for a little moment, said a message that appeared on the screen during VRT’s Eurovision broadcast, according to the Belgian newspaper HLN.
Spokesperson Yasmine van der Borght tells the newspaper that they were informed in advance about the action.
– Trade unions have the right to act and do not need permission to do so, she says.
On Friday, according to the bookmakers, Israel has a 26 percent chance of winning the entire song competition, behind Croatia in first place with a 37 percent chance of winning.
This despite a somewhat measured reception from the audience during the performance on Thursday.
After the final place was a fact on Thursday evening, Israel’s Eden Golan stated the following:
– This means the world to me. I am so happy. I love you.
Tags: absolutely Netanyahu
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