Eurovision host Sweden braces for anti-Israel protests

STORY: The Swedish city of Malmo is gearing up to host the Eurovision Song Contest against a backdrop of heightened security and planned protests over Israel’s participation.

Eurovision is the biggest contest of its kind in the world.

Two hundred million people are expected to tune in.

And about 100,000 are expected to travel to Sweden’s third-largest city.

Earlier this month, protesters denounced Israel’s participation in a protest outside Malmo’s City Hall.

And multiple large pro-Palestinian protests are planned outside the contest venue.

Protest signs are already up around the city.

Malmo resident Orwa Kadoura is a Palestinian who is helping to organize protests.

The feelings around Israel’s participation, he says, are difficult and multi-layered, including anger, sadness and a feeling of injustice.

The European Broadcasting Union — or EBU — organizes the contest.

It’s resisted calls for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza and says the event is non-political.

Still, the EBU banned Russia in 2022 after several European public broadcasters called for the country to be expelled over its invasion of Ukraine.

This time around, Israeli contestant Eden Golan will be under the spotlight, along with her song, “Hurricane.”

Israel got the green light to compete after agreeing to modify the lyrics of its original song, “October Rain,” which the EBU said made reference to the October 7 Hamas onslaught in Israel.

Organizers face the risk of protests escalating into violence, heightened terror threats in the country, as well as increased tensions with Russia after Sweden's NATO membership.

Police say security will be tighter compared to the last time Sweden hosted the event in 2016.

The contest’s executive producer Ebba Adielsson says her focus is on the visitors coming to Sweden from over 80 countries.

“This is my focus and I really hope that people will feel this and be united by music."

Those visitors will have to pass through airport-like security checks when entering venues.

The contest takes place from May 7 to 11.