The organizers in charge of the Eurovision Song Contest are saying they can take away any Palestinian flags or symbols supporting Palestine at the show in Sweden next week.
The announcement was made when Israel was having a lot of trouble about whether it should be in the yearly music competition because of their military actions against Hamas in Gaza. This has been going on for seven months now. Pro-Palestinian groups are planning to have big protests in Malmo to tell people about their cause.
Michelle Roverelli, who is in charge of talking to people for the European Broadcasting Union, said that people who buy tickets for the show can only bring and show flags from countries that are in the event, and also the rainbow flag.
The EBU in Geneva can take away flags, symbols, clothing, items, and banners that are being used to manipulate TV shows. This information was given to The Associated Press in a text message.
The Swedish news agency TT said that people who try to bring a Palestinian flag or a sign with a political message will not be allowed in by the guards at the entrance.
Martin Ãsterdahl, the person in charge of running the contest, said that the rules this year are the same as last year. There is no difference.
During the contest, people wave their country’s flags and cheer for their favorite acts.
The big party is happening in Malmo, Sweden from May 7-11. lots of people will watch it on TV. Loreen won last year with the song “Tattoo. ”
Winners get to have their country hold the event next year. Sweden will be the host for the 7th time.
The Swedish police say they will be extra careful to keep everyone safe because they think there might be a risk of terrorism in the rich Nordic country.
Activists who support Palestine want Israel to be removed from the Eurovision Song Contest. They are planning big protests in downtown Malmo, far from where the contest is happening.
Israel’s national security council said people should think twice before going to Malmo because there are a lot of protests against Israel there, including calls to attack Israelis and burning of Israeli flags.
“These changes make it worry that terrorists will use the protest and anti-Israel feelings to attack Israelis coming for the Eurovision,” it said.
On Thursday, the police in Sweden said they allowed protesters to burn a Quran in Malmo before the event. Protests are allowed in Sweden, but the police have to have a good reason to say no, like if they think it will be dangerous.
Last year, Sweden made the terror threat level higher because people were burning the Quran which caused protests in the Muslim world.
In the past few weeks, big protests have been happening at US universities and other places around the world because of the war between Israel and Hamas that has been going on for almost 7 months.
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Eurovision Song Contest organisers to take down all Palestinian banners or symbols
