Eurovision ‘not a competition between governments’

The Eurovision Song Contest is a music event and not a competition between governments, the deputy director-general of the European Broadcast Union (EBU) has said, amid protests over Israel’s inclusion in the event.

Smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag have been set off in Malmö’s central square during a demonstration in Sweden against Israel’s participation in tonight’s second semi-final.

A heavy police presence arrived at Malmö’s main square earlier ahead of the protests.

However, the Deputy Director-General of the EBU, who organise Eurovision, Jean Philip De Tender said the Eurovision is a music event and Israel had met all the requirements needed to partipate.

He told RTÉ News: “We understand people have strong feelings about the situation in the Middle East because I think nobody can remain untouched by the profound suffering of everybody caught up in the war.

“The Eurovision Song Contest however is a music event which is being organised and co-produced by 37 public service broadcasters – it’s not a competition between governments.

“And as a member-led organisation, it’s the governing bodies who decide upon participation.

“All of that is based on competition rules, and earlier this year it was decided that Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster met all the requirements to participate in this music event.”

He added that security for artists, staff and visitors is of the “utmost importance” and that the EBU was confident they had created a “very safe environment”.

20-year-old Eden Golan will represent Israel in tonight’s semi-final with her song ‘Hurricane’.

The entry was reworked from a previous track called ‘October Rain’, which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel.