SAPO MAG is in Malmö following the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 and witnessed what was, potentially, the most tense rehearsal ever in the history of the Festival.
Before, during and after her performance, Eden Golan was booed by the public inside the Malmö Arena. Even using television techniques to disguise the situation – such as pre-recorded applause and a performance that barely focuses on the public – shouts of “free Palestine” were retransmitted.
It should be noted that some moments of the song were accompanied by applause from the public, but the majority refrained from expressing any type of feeling.
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Sources confirmed to SAPO MAG that the Israeli delegation left the arena after the performance and did not join the other countries in the well-known “green room” during the rest of the rehearsal broadcast. It is not confirmed that the same will happen during the live show.
Our correspondent in Malmö questioned the UER/EBU – organizers of Eurovision – in order to obtain clarification on what happened but at the time of publication he had not received any response.
Three pro-Palestine protests were confirmed by Swedish police for this Thursday. The biggest demonstration will take place close to the arena – in Hyllie Dagvattenparken. The other two were marked for Stortorget and Davidshalltorg. Between 20 and 25 thousand Protestants are expected.
THE PROTESTS GALLERY
Due to the high levels of threat in the city, governments and embassies from several countries have issued statements with recommendations for visitors.
The Portuguese delegation confirms that they were approached by government entities in order to ensure the security of our representation.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassies of Portugal, Sweden and Denmark contacted our delegation just before departure with security recommendations. They are in permanent contact with us and have access to our daily plans.”, highlighted RTP exclusively to SAPO MAG.
All of this comes at the same time as the United Nations confirms that no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since May 5, due to the most recent incursion by Israeli forces into the city of Rafah.
The current war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the unprecedented attack by Palestinian Islamists Hamas on Israeli soil on October 7, which caused around 1,200 deaths, according to authorities.
Since then, Israel has been carrying out a military offensive to annihilate the extremist group, in an operation that killed more than 34,600 people and destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, according to the Hamas government.
The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 takes place this Thursday, starting at 8pm. In Portugal, you can watch the ceremony deferred on RTP1 from 10pm.
Tags: Eurovision Israels performance booed dress rehearsal Eden Golan leaves arena show ends Music
