BBC Eurovision fans 'switch off' during Israel's entry amid pro-Palestine protesting in Malmo

BBC Eurovision fans 'switch off' during Israel's entry amid pro-Palestine protesting in Malmo

WATCH HERE: Eurovision audience boo and shout 'free Palestine' during Israel performance

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 09/05/2024

- 21:48

Updated: 09/05/2024

- 21:52

The second semi-final of the competition aired on Thursday ahead of Saturday's main event

Israel's Eurovision entry Eden Golan has already been met with boos from crowds in Sweden, and during her performance at Thursday's semi-final, which was broadcast on BBC, fans of the competition "switched off".

It comes as earlier today, Golan was advised to stay in her hotel room as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters descended on Malmo.


Thursday's show saw the second of the semi-finals, with 16 new entries performing and hoping to get through to Saturday's main event.

The UK is among the "Big 5," along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain who immediately make it to the grand final as they contribute the most financially to the production of the competition every year.

Others must make it through the semi-finals though, and Thursday saw Golan take to the stage with her performance of Hurricane.

The hosting city, Malmo in Sweden, had prepared for demonstrations and thousands of protesters, including activist Greta Thunberg, have been present all day.

Eden Golan

Many fans 'switched off' during Golan's performance

BBC


Many Eurovision fans have called for the nation to be excluded from this year's competition as Israel's military campaign in Gaza continues.

Swedish authorities had heightened security and were prepared for possible unrest during Eurovision week.

The 20-year-old singer was also advised to stay in her hotel room before the performance on Thursday night.

As she took to the stage, many viewers expressed their outrage on social media, with some tuning out while Golan sang.


Eden Golan

Golan performed on Thursday's semi-final

BBC

"Thanks for the toilet break. Anyway, onto Norway #Eurovision," one person shared on X.

"Turning it off during Israel because f*** you @EBU_HQ #Eurovision," a second fumed.

"F*** Israel !! #Eurovision," a third penned, while another commented: "#Eurovision #Israel I kinda feel sorry for the singer (and the 10,000s of protesters against the bombing in Israel); a poisoned chalice - hopefully she won't make the final."

"The audience have absolutely been blocked out on Israel's performance. Really want people in the audience to post their videos from inside the stadium because I imagine there was a s*** ton of booing#eurovision," someone else remarked.

Eden Golan

Protesters have been crowding in Malmo all day

Getty

However, some posted in support of Israel, with one writing: "Well the act from @Israel was beautiful. In many years, that would be good enough to win."

Earlier in the week, Israel's entry was drowned out by boos and chants of "free Palestine" during rehearsals.

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