No Eurovision final has ever been so charged! Much criticism of Israel overshadowed this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden: on stage or on the street at an exciting anti-Israel demonstration. Annie Müller Martínez and Sebastian Schmiedhofer from krone.tv report from Malmö.
At the press conference ‘Fahnen-Eklat’ with the Dutch candidate Joost Klein, it was already foreseeable: this will not be a Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) as we have been used to. After his disqualification, one headline follows another, always against the same background: criticism of Israel’s participation in the competition.
In the arena’s press room, where the internet sometimes goes down, journalists from all over the world exchange ideas. Information about a possible cancellation of the entire spectacle circulated very early. There would have been plenty of controversy.
Demo forms for the arena
As if that weren’t enough, more and more people gather in front of the indoor track before the final and approach the entrance area. The group of participants in the anti-Israel demonstration extends to the arriving fans. Police begin cordoning off areas, surrounding protesters and repeatedly pushing them away – around the corner from the arena.
In the midst of all this, the only thing that helps is the press accreditation to get out of the commotion and cordon off the areas safely. The police’s top priority: keeping the entrance clear and keeping the tense demonstration at bay.
Palestine flags and pepper spray
But the mood is charged. Loudly chanted slogans, including Palestinian flags. We realize that people are angry. Two groups managed to push forward briefly, luckily only plastic bottles were flying around. Suddenly, the police officers present use pepper spray and two people are temporarily arrested. Protesters respond by shouting “Shame on you” in the direction of the officers. Then the situation finally seems to calm down.
Fear of Israel’s victory
We return to the press center and prepare for our final mission. When the points are then awarded, the tension increases again. Who will win this special Eurovision Song Contest?
Israel is momentarily in first place on points – we ignore the mutterings and concerns about the reaction of the angry people in front of the arena
if Israel wins.
In the end things turned out differently.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
