In the 70-year history of Eurovision, few three-word slogans have been as commonly repeated by its extravagant contestants, tireless organizers, and cagey media managers as "United by Music." However, Malmo, the Swedish city hosting this year's kitsch cultural phenomenon, finds itself increasingly divided by Eurovision.
While Saturday's final will draw over 150 million viewers worldwide and around 15,000 fans to the Malmo Arena, it may not be the city's most attended event that evening. A pro-Palestinian protest, advocating for Israel's removal from the contest, is expecting at least 20,000 attendees, if not more.
The competition, despite its efforts to remain "apolitical," has become the largest cultural event affected by the repercussions of Israel's actions in Gaza. The conflict, which began in response to Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel, has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza. This has led to calls of "artwashing" the conflict from those protesting or boycotting the contest, while others defend Israel's participation, arguing that the contest should remain free from geopolitics.
Paul Jordan, a fan and researcher of the contest, who worked in its communications team from 2015 to 2018, acknowledges that politics occasionally influences the event. However, he believes that this year, Israel's presence has become such a significant issue that it will overshadow the event.
Tensions have been simmering for weeks in Malmo, leading up to the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday. These tensions are expected to peak during Israel's performance, with the possibility of protests or booing in the arena.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which founded Eurovision in 1956 to promote unity between national broadcasters, faces one of its toughest challenges yet. The EBU chose not to exclude Israel from the contest due to the war in Gaza, contrasting with its decision to bar Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The EBU's director-general, Noel Curran, defended this decision, stating that Israel's national broadcaster did not violate the contest's rules as Russia did.
Despite efforts to keep dissent at bay, Eurovision bosses are concerned about potential disruptions during Golan's performance. The EBU has not ruled out adjusting sound levels to obscure booing if it occurs.
In the midst of these tensions, some artists have faced online harassment and abuse, while others have expressed solidarity with the pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Ukrainian contestant Alyona Alyona voiced sympathy for those affected by war, emphasizing the need to speak out against it.
As Malmo prepares to host Eurovision, it faces challenges in balancing the event's celebratory nature with the political tensions it has ignited. The city's efforts to showcase itself as a diverse and vibrant city are complicated by the geopolitical controversies surrounding the contest.