Sweden to host Eurovision in shadow of Gaza war
Looming over the festivities is Israel's participation in the almost 70-year-old contest, which this year brings together 37 countries, concluding with the final on May 11.
Malmo resident Anders Puschel said that he will be taking part in a demonstration on May 9, the same day Israel will be competing in the second semi-final.
"During the ongoing war, Israel's participation should be banned in the same way they banned Russia," Puschel said.
In 2022, Russian broadcasters were excluded from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – which oversees the competition – in the wake of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.
"The message was, we don't like people who are not living up to democratic standards," anthropologist and Eurovision specialist Lisanne Wilken said.
Since the beginning of the year, several petitions have demanded Israel's exclusion.
Direct threats have also been made against the singer representing Israel, Eden Golan, which the EBU swiftly condemned.
"While we strongly support freedom of speech and the right to express opinions in a democratic society, we firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest," the organisation said.
Inside the Malmo Arena, the organiser has banned all flags other than those of the participating countries – with the exception of the Pride rainbow flag – a long-standing rule, according to the EBU.
"I'm sure someone will be able to smuggle in a Palestinian flag and wave it, but whether it will been seen on TV is more uncertain," Puschel said.
This year's competition marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Swedish pop group's international breakthrough when they won Eurovision
with the song Waterloo.
In a sign of the controversy surrounding the competition, several Swedish artists who were due to take part in the festivities surrounding the event have withdrawn.
A more sombre a air
The festivities will still go ahead, though in a calmer manner.
"Malmo is a party city... the saddest thing is that there may be fewer Malmo residents taking part," Karlsson said.
The EBU has adopted the slogan "United by Music", borrowed from the 2023 edition, which was organised in the UK as the war-stricken 2022 winner Ukraine was unable to host it.
"Liverpool last year was a huge party, this was a celebration thrown in Putin's face," Wilken said, referring to the Russian president.
"This year it really is more difficult for Sweden to position itself," she continued, explaining that the event has been "marked" by the situation in Gaza.
Another local man, Yair Elsner, is also organising a rally on May 9, but to celebrate the Israeli participation.
"We will be there with Swedish flags and Israeli flags," he said, adding they aim to show "something
positive".
A member of Malmo's small Jewish community, Elsner said he had not noticed any change in attitudes towards him since the start of the war, but conceded there was a widespread feeling of "insecurity".