Israeli singer Eden Golan has become the center of controversy as protests against the Israel-Hamas war continue on.
Topline
Israeli singer Eden Golan advanced to the final round of the Eurovision song competition and will sing later Saturday, as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to protest in the event’s host city of Malmo, Sweden, calling for Israel’s exclusion from the competition over the Israel-Hamas war.Key Facts
Protesters, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, have been gathering in Malmo for days with large crowds gathering Saturday ahead of the finals amid as calls for Israel’s expulsion—and Thunberg was arrested by Swedish police amid a standoff with officers Saturday afternoon, the BBC reported.
Boycotts of the competition began before it even started.
Israeli singer Eden Golan has been thrust into the center of the international controversy surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza, receiving heavy security and reportedly ordered by security to stay in her hotel room when not performing due to safety concerns.
The 20-year-old Golan has been repeatedly booed on stage during dress rehearsals and formal performances, but still earned enough votes after her Thursday semi-final performance to advance into Saturday’s finals.
Dutch performer Joost Klein was expelled Saturday morning after Swedish police investigated a “complaint made by a female member of the production crew,” and while no charges have been filed, “it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest,” according to Eurovision organizer the European Broadcasting Union.
