Eurovision shock. Despite the protests, the Israeli advanced to the finals. And apparently by a huge margin

Anti-Israel activists have been opposing Israel’s involvement for several months because of its military action in the Gaza Strip.

After the massacre on October 7 last year, the Jewish state there is trying to eliminate the terrorist movement Hamas there, which also entails civilian casualties. But the organizers did not agree with the exclusion of the Israeli singer.

On Thursday’s semi-final evening, Eden Golan made it to the final with her song Hurricane, but she had to rework it.

According to the management of the competition, the original version was too politically involved, as it touched on last year’s massacre, during which Palestinian terrorists murdered approximately 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

The results of the Italian vote, which showed a strong lead for Israel over the other countries, appeared on the broadcast of the Italian public television Rai, probably by mistake, on Thursday evening.

Israel won 39.3 percent of the vote in Italy, far ahead of the second-placed Netherlands, which won just 7 percent.

The distribution of votes in the semi-finals is not to be published until after the final night and the percentages are generally not published. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) did not respond to a request for comment, the Times of Israel website reported.

But if Golan was leading with a similar lead in other countries, it would show that Israel has support in Europe after all.

And this despite protests in the streets and at universities organized by migrants from Muslim countries or their descendants in cooperation with ultra-leftist youth.

This could even lead to a paradoxical situation where Golanová would win the entire competition, which is no longer apolitical.

How to vote in Eurovision

According to some estimates, up to ten thousand pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested in Malmö on Thursday, who are annoyed by the presence of the Israeli contestant. Among them was Greta Thunberg, originally known as an environmental activist.

Due to protests and fears of violence, strict security measures are in place during the competition. Not only were police officers from all over Sweden called in, they were also reinforced by security forces from neighboring Denmark and Norway.

5,000 pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate in Malmö, where Eurovision is being held

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The Israeli delegation itself must have strong security. Last week, the head of the Israeli counter-intelligence, Shin Bet Ronen Bar, personally reviewed the measures regarding the delegation.

Snipers appeared on the rooftops around the arena where the competition is taking place on Thursday afternoon due to concerns for the safety of the participants.

In the Saturday final of the competition, the 20-year-old Israeli Golan will also compete with the favorites from Switzerland and the Netherlands, a total of 26 countries will be represented in it. Czech representative Aiko did not advance with her song Pedestal.

Saturday’s Eurovision final will be without us. Aiko failed the audience vote

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