Eurovision in crisis with cops braced for huge protests & even UK parties cancelled as Israeli singer is tipped to win
EUROVISION has been plunged into crisis ahead of tomorrow night’s final, with more than 20,000 pro-Palestine protesters expected.
Swedish police are braced for trouble in Malmo amid anger at the inclusion of Israeli singer Eden Golan.
UK venues have also been warned not to screen the event or face a backlash.
PM Rishi Sunak slammed Gaza protests in Sweden.
He said they were “outrageous” and calls to boycott the 68-year-old competition are “unfair”.
Swedish authorities have launched a massive security operation around the Malmo Arena, where a march is planned ahead of tomorrow night’s final.
Golan, 20, was tonight ordered to stay in her hotel room by Israel’s national security agency, whose chief has flown in to the city to personally supervise arrangements.
She was earlier escorted by a phalanx of guards to rehearsals.
Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the singer for performing in the face of “an ugly wave of anti-semitism”.
He told her: “So be blessed, and know that when they boo you, we are cheering you on.”
Golan is set to perform a ballad entitled Hurricane, which was originally called October Rain, an apparent reference to the Hamas terror attack which killed 1,200 Israelis.
That fell foul of Eurovision rules banning political content, so a tweaked and renamed version was allowed.
But Golan, one of the favourites to win, has come under mounting pressure to pull out, including from other Eurovision contestants.
In the UK, pro-Palestine campaigners urged followers to pressure venues to shut down planned Eurovision parties – or face their wrath.
Two of London’s biggest events have been cancelled, with four axed in Brighton as activists threaten to picket.
Action group Brighton Queers for Palestine posted the contact numbers for bars which are going ahead with Eurovision parties — a hugely popular annual tradition for many.
They told followers to “call and ask them to reconsider”, accusing any venues that screen the contest of “complicity in genocide”.
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in South London made the decision to close earlier this week, telling customers it “will not be open for any event on Saturday night”.
The famous venue – which has hosted the likes of Lily Savage and former Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz – said they feared clashes taking place and decided instead to “stay clear”.
Eurovision has always prided itself on putting politics aside.
Golan said after the semi-final she was “overwhelmed with emotions”.
She added: “It is truly such an honour to be here on stage, representing [Israel] with pride.
“I’m so grateful for everyone who voted and took part in supporting us, and me.”