Eden Golan’s grand final came after a long-running campaign to bar Israel from the competition over its military campaign in Gaza.
Israeli solo artist Eden Golan was booed and jeered loudly as well as cheered on Saturday during her performance of “Hurricane” at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Malmo, Sweden.
Numerous videos posted to X, formerly Twitter, from inside the arena showed a cascade of boos and chants of “Free Palestine” during and after Golan’s song as the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has also led to protests during the annual event.
In addition, media outlets reported from inside the arena that Golan also received scores of cheers and some fans waved the Israeli flag during the 20-year-old’s performance. The boos and pro-Palestinian chants could not be heard on the live broadcast.
Tensions have risen around the world after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, led its deadliest attack on Israel in history on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel subsequently launched its heaviest airstrikes against Gaza. At least 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack, while more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, per the Gaza Health Ministry, according to the Associated Press.
A video posted to X by The Times of Israel reporter Amy Spiro shows an emotional Golan surrounded by supporters after her grand final performance. The performer paraded with the Israeli flag as she took the stage.
Newsweek reached out to Eurovision via email for comment on Saturday evening.
