Security measures will be tight during the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, as police anticipate potential demonstrations and a heightened risk of terrorism. Pro-Palestinian activists who are calling for Israel to be removed from the contest have planned rallies in downtown Malmo, which is several kilometers away from the contest venue. This comes as Sweden raised its terror threat level to “high” last year due to a deteriorating security situation following protests in the Muslim world over Quran burnings. An application to stage a demonstration involving the burning of a Quran before the song contest has been submitted, although there is no specific law in Sweden prohibiting the desecration of religious texts.
Despite the potential for unrest, Swedish police are committed to maintaining freedom of expression while also ensuring public safety. Police reinforcements from across Sweden, as well as from Norway and Denmark, will be deployed to assist with security measures during the contest. The police force is operating under the country’s terror threat level four and balancing the need for security with the rights of individuals to express their views. The Eurovision Song Contest, which will culminate in a live televised final on May 11 with semi-finals on May 7 and May 9, has attracted criticism and controversy this year due to calls for Israel to be excluded from the event.
Pro-Palestinian activists and some musicians are protesting Israel’s participation in the contest, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. The European Broadcasting Union, the event organizer, has faced pressure to remove Israel from the competition, but has emphasized the importance of respecting the artists and individuals associated with the contest. Established in 1956 as a symbol of unity after World War II, Eurovision has grown into a popular global music event with nearly 40 participating countries, including non-European nations like Israel and Australia. Despite efforts to keep politics out of the contest, controversies have arisen in the past, such as Russia’s exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Sweden, the defending champion of the Eurovision Song Contest, is preparing to host the event in Malmo, its third-largest city, for the third time. The city previously hosted the contest in 1992 and 2013, showcasing its capacity to organize and manage a large-scale international event. While Eurovision is known for its campy and feel-good celebration of pop music, the upcoming contest in Malmo is clouded by security concerns and political tensions. As the final approaches, Swedish authorities are working to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of participants and spectators while upholding the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful protest. The presence of police reinforcements from neighboring countries highlights the collaborative effort to ensure a successful and secure Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo.
