Eurovision Organizers Prep for Possible Protests Over Israel’s Controversial Song Lyrics

Eurovision Song Contest organizers are already preparing for the threat of possible protesters on the upcoming show, which takes place May 7-11 in Malmo, Sweden.

The threat comes after protests have ensued in several parts of the world and on social media, demanding the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to call off the embattled nation's inclusion in the competition after it used a song containing controversial lyrics.

Eurovision Protests Ensue Amid Israel's Inclusion

The Eurovision Song Contest has suffered significant backlash from artists and fans in the past few months because they decided to include Israel this year.

Finnish and Icelandic artists have called for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest after it still allowed the embattled nation to take part in the annual competition despite their ongoing siege at the Gaza Strip in Palestine.

Recent controversy includes Israel pushing back on the decision to reject their entry song "October Rain," which alludes to the extremist group Hamas's attack on the country last October 2023.

Calls of boycotts intensified after the song "October Rain" included the line: "And I promise you that never again/I'm still wet from this October rain."

According to Eurovision rules, the songs "shall in no case be politicized and/or instrumentalized"; if this is proven in the case of the song, Israel could face disqualification.

While some urge the nation's disqualification, some believe it shouldn't have been allowed in the first place. On Eurovision 2022, Russia was removed from the lineup amid their ongoing siege on Ukraine.

Eurovision Organizers Beef up Safety Protocols

In a statement, Malmo Safety Director Per-Erik Ebbestahl told a news conference, as quoted by NBC News, that clarified the current security situation in Sweden.

"There is currently, according to the information we have from our partners, no direct threat to Eurovision. Given the situation, things could change," he said.

Meanwhile, Malmo Mayor Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh expressed her support for those who will exercise their right to protest.

"We stand behind the right of all people to express their democratic views. Then there is also always a risk that someone will use the attention for less peaceful purposes or to disrupt and fight," she emphasized. "I have great confidence in the police's ability to work for a safe city even when so many different people come to visit."

Tags

Eurovision, Eurovision Song Contest