Greta Thunberg took participation in protests in Malmö/EPA
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was taken away by the Swedish police from the arena in Malmö, where the Eurovision final was held. This happened when she joined the march before the start of the song contest.
21-year-old Thunberg joined the “Stop Israel” march in Malmö, where thousands of people protested against Israel's participation in the contest due to allegations the Israeli military in the genocide in Gaza, which Israel categorically denies, writes the Independent.
Later, the activist was photographed wearing a Keffiyeh scarf as she was led out of the protest a few minutes before the start of the final on Saturday night.
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It was reported that some protesters chanted “Shame” at visitors arriving at the arena, as they continue to boycott this year's contest over Israel's inclusion.
The song “Hurricane” by Israel's Eden Golan was reworked from an earlier track under called “October Rain”, which was considered a reference to Hamas attacks on Israel. Golan participated in the final after a successful performance in the semi-final.
Thunberg accused Israel of “laundering” her reputationat the Eurovision Song Contest.
Greta Thunberg was detained by the police in Malmö: watch the video
Greta Thunberg DRAGGED by her arms and ARRESTED for participating in an unlawful protest outside the Eurovision final at the Malmö Arena. pic.twitter.com/TmTgMvMyao
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 11, 2024
People from all over Sweden are gathering in Malmö this week, where Eurovision is being held, to protest Israel's participation in the contest. Yesterday we saw tens of thousands of people flooding the streets of Malmö. We will not accept the fact that a country that is currently committing genocide gets a platform for artistic laundering,
Thunberg said.
According to her, the world cannot remain silent during genocide. Everyone who can should use their voice and speak out against Israel's crimes and occupation.
Eurovision organizers, the European Broadcasting Union, have repeatedly rejected calls to ban Israel from the contest amid the ongoing war in Gaza, where some estimate the number of dead reaches 35,000 people.
According to Swedish police estimates, between 10,000 and 12,000 people took part in the protest march against Israel's participation in the contest.
On the eve of the contest, Eurovision announced that it was leaving reserves the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols from the show, as protests against Israel's participation in the pageant mount amid its war in Gaza.