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Israel reaches final as protests continue

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Top line

Israeli singer Eden Golan reached the final round of the Eurovision Song Contest and will sing later on Saturday as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to protest in the event’s host city, Malmo, Sweden, demanding Israel’s exclusion from the contest for -Hamas- War.

Important facts

Demonstrators, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, have been gathering in Malmö for days. On Saturday, large crowds gathered ahead of the finals as calls for Israel’s expulsion grew – and Thunberg was arrested by Swedish police in a confrontation with officers on Saturday afternoon, the BBC reported .

The boycott of the competition began before it even began.

Israeli singer Eden Golan found herself at the center of the international controversy surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza. She was given tight security and was reportedly told by security to stay in her hotel room when not performing for her safety.

Dutch artist Joost Klein was expelled on Saturday morning after Swedish police investigated a “complaint from a female member of the production team,” and although no charges were filed, “it would not be appropriate for him to take part in the competition,” according to the Eurovision organizer, the European Broadcasting Union.

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What time is the Eurovision final – and where will it be streamed?

In the US, the Eurovision final begins at 3:00 p.m. EDT. It will be broadcast live on Peacock and in some regions also on the Eurovision YouTube channel. A full list of channels for each participating country can be found here.

Section heading

When it became known that Klein’s participation in the competition was being investigated, it sparked false speculation that it may have had something to do with Golan. Tensions flared at a press conference earlier this week when Golan was asked if she believed her presence at the event posed a safety threat to the other attendees and a moderator told her she didn’t have to answer the question, prompting Klein to respond shouted, “Why not?” But the EBU said in its statement on Klein’s exit: “Contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, no other artist or delegation member was involved in this incident.”

Big number

20,000. According to the Times of Israel, Swedish police expected as many protesters in Malmö on Saturday.

What you should pay attention to

According to Eurovision World, a website that tracks the competition’s betting odds, Croatia is the betting favorite to win the competition, although Israel has moved up to second place.

Important background

Pro-Palestinian protesters are calling for Israel’s exclusion from the competition and other boycotts as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on in Gaza. After several musical groups pressured participants to boycott the competition, nine Eurovision artists released a joint statement in March calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, but did not withdraw from the competition. The European Broadcasting Union resisted calls to exclude Israel from the event, but asked Golan to change the lyrics to her original entrance song, “Hurricane,” which was inspired by the events of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. The song was originally titled “October Rain” and contained more specific references to the attack, but the competition required that all songs be apolitical.

Crucial quote

“Be blessed and know that when they boo you, we cheer you on,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in one Video statement to Golan on X earlier this week.

Main critic

Climate activist Greta Thunberg accused Israel of “artwashing” its actions in Gaza, claiming the country was using competition to distract from an alleged “genocide” against the Palestinian people.

further reading

ForbesWhat is Eurovision? A Guide for Confused AmericansFrom Robert Hart

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