Protests outside the Malmo venue hosting Eurovision have been thrown into chaos as Greta Thunberg is removed.
The climate activist was seen being carried from the crowds by local police and transported away from the area. Swedish police were seen removing Thunberg, 21, from the Stop Israel march in Malmo where thousands are protesting Israel’s inclusion in the competition.
Activists, including Thunberg, were seen wearing a Keffiyeh scarf while they were escorted away from the venue as the Eurovision Song Contest final got underway.
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Thunberg had previously accused Israel of “artwashing” its reputation at Eurovision Song Contest. Thunberg said: “People from all over Sweden are gathering in Malmo this week, where Eurovision is taking place, to protest against Israel’s participation in the competition.
“Yesterday we were tens of thousands people flooding the streets of Malmo. We will not accept that a country currently committing genocide is allowed a platform to artwash themselves.”
The European Broadcasting Union, the team behind Eurovision, has repeatedly rejected calls to ban Israel amid protests over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Swedish police estimate there is between 10,000 to 12,000 people taking part in the march against Israel’s participation in Eurovision. Eden Golan, Israel’s entry into the competition, had previously said she would focus “on music” amid questions on the protest.
She said: “I’m here, I’m doing what I love most, I’m focused on music.” Golan added it was “an honour” to represent Israel on the stage at Eurovision.
Organisers at Eurovision recently doubled down on their stance, saying that to exclude Israeli broadcaster Kan from the competition would have been a “political decision”.
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