Israel: Increased security measures will be implemented for Malmö!
Regardless the protests all around Europe calling out Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2024 following the war in Gaza Strip and the fear of its entry disqualification due to political overtones, the Middle Eastern country will be present in Malmö as usual.
However, Israel’s participation in Malmö will be different from previous years, and additional security measures will be implemented to ensure the delegation’s safety.
The measures taken
According to euromix.il, the Israeli delegation will be accompanied to Malmö by dozens of security guards in accordance with the safety measures indicated by the Ministries and the General Security Service. It is expected that each member of the delegation will be accompanied by a security guard. As a result, Israel’s delegation this year will be larger than ever before, increasing the country’s participation costs. Moreover, Sweden’s law enforcement will assist Israel, ensuring its members’ safety.
Considering that Malmö is an openly pro-Palestinian city, having a large Muslim immigrant population and in fear of protests, Israel’s public appearances will be restricted to the bear minimum. Eden Golan, Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024, will not be present at this year’s opening ceremony and will not attend any pre-parties. Security is not the only reason that will keep Israel away from the Opening Ceremony, as it is scheduled on the same day with Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Israeli delegation also fears of the negative response of the audience. Palestinian flags and booing from the audience are a certain possibility, although controversial symbols are strongly prohibited inside the arena by the organizers. As Avi Zeikner, editor of euromix.il, mentions:
Apart from security dangers, it really wouldn’t surprise me if they heard boos when Israel was mentioned or when Aden took the stage. It could be a very unpleasant moment It happened in the past with Russia, and it’s definitely a possibility.
However:
There will be many requests for interviews. Even those who are now threatening to boycott us will want to come to Israel’s press conferences and ask questions about the war.
Everything will be different for Israel this year but the Middle-Eastern country is willing to take the risk.
Not the first time
It is not the first time that Israel is concerned about its delegation’s safety. Since its first appearance on the Eurovision stage in 1973, the security measures have always been strict. Indicatively, the last time the contest was held in Malmö, in 2013, the Israeli delegation was accompanied by security guards and local police forces. Sweden was not the only country to cause uncertainty for Israel. In 2012, when the contest was held in Azerbaijan and in fear of Iranian attacks, the delegation was restricted and Izbo, the country’s participants, were smuggled through side entrances and exits.
Eden Golan will serve as the country’s representative in Malmö. Her song “Hurricane” seems to have been approved by the EBU and will be released on March 10th. Israel will perform at the second half of the second semi-final.
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