Politics continue to loom large during this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Singer Eden Golan performed her song 'Hurricane' and secured her spot in Saturday’s final while almost 12,000 people protested Israel's participation in the competition over the war in Gaza.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 As Eurovision fans gear up for the final in Sweden this weekend, a dark cloud hangs over the contest.
00:08 Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, including climate activist Greta Thunberg,
00:14 are taking to the capital and calling for the removal of the Israeli finalist Eden Golem.
00:20 We're all here for one reason and one reason only.
00:23 And the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and a united place for everyone.
00:33 But pro-Israel supporters have also turned out in droves campaigning for Golen,
00:39 including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
00:43 So, say "Blessings" and know that when they shout "Booz" we shout "Eidad".
00:50 A day before the final, a ship filled with humanitarian aid for Gaza prepares to depart.
00:56 The vessel aims to raise awareness for the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians killed.
01:03 When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia was excluded from the Eurovision without any protests
01:11 and almost immediately we expect the same treatment for Israel in this regard.
01:17 The ten acts moving into this weekend's final are Latvia, Austria, the Netherlands,
01:23 Norway, Israel, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia.
01:28 Many pro-Palestinian protests are scheduled to coincide with this Saturday final
01:33 as the Israel-Hamas war grinds into its seventh month.
01:37 For more UN videos visit: www.un.org/webcast