Eurovision organizers announced Thursday that they reserve the right to remove Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols during the music contest performances next week in Malmö, Sweden.
The head of the communications department at Eurovision said that ticket buyers will only be allowed to display the flags of the participating countries, including Israel, and the Pride flag. The contest also emphasized in a message to the Associated Press that pro-Palestinian symbols that may be banned also include "clothes, items or posters that can be used as instruments to be shown on television screens.
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Stockholm, Sweden
(Photo: Reuters/TT News Agency/Pontus Lundahl)
This news comes a few days after Ynet learned that the Israeli delegation to Eurovision was told to expect "massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations near Eden Golan's performances."
The security detail for the Israeli delegation includes Eurovision production personnel, local security forces, and the Shin Bet, which made security arrangements in advance. The Israeli security detail holds a daily security assessment to ensure the delegation's safety.
The song competition will be held next week begin in Malmö, which is considered one of the most anti-Semitic cities in Europe. Israel will compete in the second semi-final, which will be held on Thursday, May 9, and will compete for a place in the final which will be held on Saturday, May 11.