Israel is among ten countries that this Thursday guaranteed passage to the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for Saturday in Malmo, Sweden, thereby keeping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict alive in the competition.
When the Israeli representative was on stage this Thursday, during the second semi-final of the 68th edition of the competition, whistles could be heard, especially in the opening part of the performance. On Wednesday at rehearsals, which like the semi-finals and final are open to the public, Israel’s Eden Golan was booed by some in attendance.
This Thursday afternoon, thousands of people marched through the streets of Malmö, calling for Israel to be expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest due to the country’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, the protest, which began at 16:00 local time (15:00 Lisbon time), was organized by the Stop Israel, for Peace and Free Palestine platform, which unites more than 60 organizations.
In the second semi-final, which began this Thursday at 21:00 local time (20:00 Lisbon time), 16 songs competed for the last ten places available in the final.
In addition to Israel, the following countries also managed to get a place in the finals: Latvia, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia.
The following countries did not take part in this Thursday’s final: Malta, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, San Marino and Belgium.
The ten selected this Thursday will join many others selected in the first semi-final, which took place on Tuesday: Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Luxembourg.
In the final, scheduled for Saturday, the 20 countries selected in the two semi-finals will be joined by the so-called “Big Five” (France, Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy) and the host nation.
Although they are not competing, this Thursday’s semi-finals will feature Spain, France and Italy.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is marked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The decades-long conflict intensified after the Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 people, and the country, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, responded with an offensive that killed more than 34,000. in the Gaza Strip, according to reports from both sides.
Political representatives and European artists have made several requests to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to veto Israel’s participation in the competition.
Among various appeals, at the end of March, representatives of nine countries, including Portugal, signed a letter calling for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire” in the war in Palestine and the return of all Israeli hostages.
In the letter, the artists began by stating that they recognize the “privilege of participating in Eurovision” but that they are “uncomfortable in remaining silent” given the “current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in particular Gaza and Israel.” “.
In addition to the representative of Portugal, the letter was signed by translators from Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Great Britain, Denmark, Lithuania and Finland.
At that time, the EBU reminded that the festival was an “apolitical” event. However, in 2022, a decision was made to exclude Russia from the competition following the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Yolanda appeared on the “turquoise catwalk” (where representatives of all countries parade, marking the start of the pageant’s live performances) in Malmo wearing a dress from a Palestinian brand and with painted nails. “Keffiyeh” – a scarf that is a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
On Tuesday, the conflict was brought to the stage during the opening number of the first semi-final by singer Erik Saade, who represented Sweden in the competition in 2011 with the song “Popular”.
Eric Saade, of Palestinian descent, sang with his left hand wrapped in a keffiyeh.
Israel was the first non-European country to take part in the music competition in 1973, and has won four times, including with transgender singer Dana International in 1998.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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