Malmo protest: Moment Greta Thunberg is dragged away by cops at Palestine march
More than 15,000 people have taken to the streets of the Swedish city as the Eurovision final kicks off.
Thousands of Palestine protesters, including 21-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, have gathered in Malmo, Sweden, ahead of Eurovision's final this evening where Israel's entry is set to perform.
Israel’s entry, Eden Golan, qualified on Thursday for the final with her song Hurricane, amid fierce demonstrations outside her hotel. Those in attendance at the protest on May 9 included 21-year-old eco-activist, Greta Thunberg.
Golan, 20, was told by Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency, not to leave her hotel during the demonstrations on Thursday. Today it has emerged around 100 Swedish police were required to escort the Israeli performer to the Eurovision venue, according to The Sun.
Video footage shows a stream of police vehicles travelling through the city, reportedly carrying the young singer. A clip also surfaced of protesters, believed to be demonstrating today in Malmo, calling for "intifada". The word, in the context of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, means to overthrow the state of Israel. Express.co.uk is still working to verify whether the video was taken today.
Photos from Saturday also show Greta Thunberg being removed by Swedish police as she joined protesters outside the Malmo Arena.
THIS LIVE BLOG IS NOW CLOSED. SCROLL DOWN FOR OUR COVERAGE OF THE DAY.
KEY EVENTS
- Greta Thunberg dragged away from Malmo Arena protest by police20:20
- Finnish points spokesperson becomes second to pull out of Eurovision19:26
- Irish entry Bambi Thug releases statement19:01
- Norway's points spokesperson pulls out 17:50
- Chaos on the stage as well as on the streets16:42
- Pictures from the scene show protesters accusing Eurovision of supporting 'genocide'16:03
- Pictures show show thousands lining streets to protest Israel's inclusion15:43
Recapping a tumultuous day in Malmo
Local residents in Malmo may be pleased to see the back of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, after thousands of protesters descended on the streets again today.
Earlier in the day activists collected in the city's main square to demonstrate against Israel's involvement in the competition.
The Israeli entry Eden Golan was videoed being given a police escort to the Malmo Arena, as protesters carried placards accusing her country of "genocide".
Meanwhile, entries from Ireland and France caused a headache for organisers. Bambie Thug from Ireland made an official complaint to the EBU, while Slimane, the French performer, used his rehearsal to make a "peace" speech.
The Finnish and Norwegian points spokespeople stood down from their roles, as the Dutch TV commentator used choice language to described how he felt about the decision to disqualify the Netherlands' entry.
After protesters, including Greta Thunberg, were pulled away from the Malmo Arena, 20-year-old Golan was booed during her performance of 'Hurricane'.
Constant booing of Israel entry during performance revealed by footage taken inside Malmo Arena
Video footage taken during Eden Golan's performance shows the popstar battling to sing to over the sound of almost non-stop booing.
A reminder that what you\u2019re seeing on TV for Israel is not representative of what people ACTUALLY think #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/9D65ktD36w
\u2014 Will (@willthefirst) May 11, 2024
Greta Thunberg dragged away from Malmo Arena protest by police
Swedish police were pictured hauling eco-warrior Greta Thunberg away from the Eurovision venue, moments before the show started.
The 21-year-old Swede was also seen at the protests outside the hotel of Israeli performer Eden Golan on May 9.
Latest pictures show carnage outside Malmo Arena
Palestine protesters have clashed with police outside the 9,000-seater Malmo Arena.
Protesters reach the Eurovision venue as police move in
Pro-Palestine protesters have made their way to the Malmo Arena, which is hosting Eurovision.
Video footage shows the demonstrators on the scene, as police scramble to manage the situation.
\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8 Protest right outside the arena getting physical between protesters and police #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/cIifqMsHn2
— Callum Rowe (@TheCallumRowe) May 11, 2024
Finnish points spokesperson becomes second to pull out of Eurovision
Kaarija, who was runner up in 2023 with his hit Cha Cha Cha, said: "I have decided not to participate as the spokesperson for the Finnish jury in tonight's Eurovision finale.
"Giving out the points does not feel right."
The announcement comes with just over 30 minutes until the competition kicks off.
Earlier, the Norwegian spokesperson announced they were pulling out of the event too.
Irish entry Bambi Thug releases statement
Bambi Thug, who missed the flag parade prior to tonight's final, has released a statement.
The Irish performer claimed that the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) told her delegation that Israeli broadcaster Kan had "broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final 1".
The alleged rule break has not been detailed.
In her statement, she said: "I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break.
"I have since seen a statement by EBU Director General Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.
"I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU."
Norway's points spokesperson pulls out
Alessandra Mele, Norway's points spokesperson, has said she will not perform her role for tonight's final.
The 21-year-old, who competed last year for Norway in Liverpool, said she would not take part in Eurovision while there is a "genocide going on".
\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: news Norwegian presenter withdraws from tonight\u2019s #Eurovision finals in protest against #Israel. Alessandra Mele, who represented Norway at last year\u2019s Eurovision, said:
\u2014 \ud835\udc07\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc21 \ud835\udc12\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc26\ud835\udc1a (@itsHarishop) May 11, 2024
\u201cThere\u2019s a genocide going on and I\u2019m asking you to please open your eyes, open up your heart\u201d!!!\u2026 pic.twitter.com/1X3mgg6tTA
French act cuts short rehearsal performance to give 'peace' speech
Slimane, who won France's version of The Voice, interrupted his own rehearsal to deliver a speech.
Video footage taken within the Malmo Arena captures the moment it happened.
Slimane just made a speech DURING his performance #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/oKgL08pM0s
\u2014 Daniel (@danieladomako) May 11, 2024
Chaos on the stage as well as on the streets
As Malmo readies itself to host the showpiece musical event amid the waves of protest, many of the performers themselves are causing a headache for Eurovision organisers.
French act Slimane cut short his rehearsal performance to deliver a short speech.
He said: "Everybody, I just need to say something. I'm sorry I don't speak English very well.
"But when I was a child, I dreamed about music. I dreamed about this dream - to be a singer, to seek peace."
Cheers from the crowd during video footage of the speech drowned out much of what the French performer continued to say, however he is reported to have said repeatedly: "United by music yes, but for love, for peace".
Meanwhile, Ireland's entry, Bambi Thug, missed the flag parade in the show's final rehearsal.
Bambie Ray Robinson wasn't at the flag parade due to "a situation" the act said needed "urgent attention" from competition organisers.
Latest pictures: 'Welcome to genocide song contest'
Protesters have been carrying banners with messages condemning Eurovision organisers and accusing Israel of genocide.
One such banner read "nej till folkmord", meaning "no to genocide".
Another, written in English, said: "Welcome to genocide song contest".
The BBC estimates 10,000 protesters are demonstrating in the city.
Latest pictures from the scene
The latest pictures from Malmo show increasing tension in the city, with protests carrying messages accusing Israel of "genocide" as some demonstrators are taken away by police.
What has UK entry Olly Alexander said about Eurovision, Israel and the protests?
The Years & Years frontman may be far from favourite to take the Eurovision crown, but what has the 33-year-old said about Israel and his participation in the competition, amid the ongoing protests?
Despite signing a letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and accusing Israel of "genocide", the Harrogate-born pop star branded some pro-Palestinian voices as "very extreme".
Critics of the It's A Sin actor said he was "complicit in genocide" for competing in Eurovision. However he rejected that assertion.
He said: "A lot of the contestants and myself have been having a lot of comments that are like ‘You are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision’ which is quite extreme. It’s very extreme."
He went on to say, during the documentary Olly Alexander’s Road To Eurovision ‘24, that he respected those that wished to boycott the music event.
"People should do what’s right for them. If they want to boycott Eurovision if they don’t feel comfortable watching, that’s their choice, and I respect that.
"Eurovision is, it’s meant to be like an apolitical contest, but that’s like a fantasy."
Pictures from the scene show protesters accusing Eurovision of supporting 'genocide'
Protesters have repeatedly accused Israel of committing a "genocide" against the Gazans, as the IDF works to dismantle Hamas and free the hostages taken by the proscribed terrorist organisation on October 7.
Video footage of a police convoy believed to be carrying the Israeli performer
This is the clip of a police convoy in Malmo, believed to be carrying 100 police officers and Eden Golan to the Eurovision venue.
Ms Golan has been closely monitored by the Israeli security agency Shin Bet, as well as the Swedish police, amid fierce protests against her inclusion in the competition.
100 Swedish police officers are transporting the 20-y-old singer Eden Golan between her hotel & Malm\u00f6 Arena ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.
\u2014 Visegr\u00e1d 24 (@visegrad24) May 11, 2024
Apart from the long convoy of vehicles, you can hear a police helicopter flying above.
Malm\u00f6 is a city with serious problems
\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf1 pic.twitter.com/JSYaWtNnKC
Pictures show show thousands lining streets to protest Israel's inclusion
A man in a keffiyeh looks out of the window of a fast food restaurant, as thousands demonstrate against Eden Golan's inclusion in Eurovision.
Where is Malmo?
Malmo is Sweden's third largest city and is found in the south-west of the country.
It's actually far closer to the Danish capital, Copenhagen than it is the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
This is the third time the city has hosted Eurovision, after putting on the competition in 1992 and 2013.
Welcome to our live coverage of the Palestine protests in Sweden
Good afternoon from London, I'm Max Parry. Welcome to our live coverage of the Eurovision protests in Malmo, Sweden.
If you are in Malmo and have a story to share about the protests, please email [email protected] or contact me on X @maxparry4.