The Israeli delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, will be accompanied by an unprecedented level of security, making it one of the most heavily guarded delegations to ever represent the country.
Shin Bet increased its security detail significantly in consideration of the increasing risks to Israelis abroad. The detail will be the largest since the start of the war, surpassing even that assigned to Israeli sports teams when they participated in international matches in recent months.
The heightened security measures were a result of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the particularities of the host location - Malmo, Sweden, a place renowned its large and vocal Muslim population and for the anti-Israel sentiments expressed by many of its residents in protests since October.
Another factor contributing to the elevated security measures is the recent killing of Iranian General Hassan Mahdavi in a strike on Damascus that was attributed to Israel. Amid the rowing concerns, the Shin Bet considers Israeli representative, Eden Golan, as a potential target for attacks due to her symbolic representation of Israel.
Shin Bet's Personal and Delegation Security Unit has made several preparatory visits to Malmo and decided to limit the number of people in the Israeli delegation.
Golan is set to make her first appearance on the Eurovision stage during the second semi-final scheduled for May 9, where she will perform the 14th song on the roster, "Hurricane".