Eurovision 2024: Greta Thunberg joins protests in Malmo as Eden Golan performs for Israel in second semi-final

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those taking part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the Swedish city.

The largest of these was held in Stortorget, the oldest town square. Protesters chanted “Songs and ­glitter” should not “hide this genocide” and “Euro­vision shame on you”.

Thunberg told reporters: “Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should react to this.”

Her mother, Malena Ernman, competed in Eurovision in 2009 with the song La Voix.

Among those marching was the Eurovision Fans Against Genocide group.

One of the members, Rory Flynn, originally from Kildare but now living in Austria, said: “We are appalled it has got to this stage and that the European Broadcasting Union is allowing Israel to participate with that song. We have decided we want to make our voices heard on this issue.”

Seamus White, from Dublin, said: “The atmosphere of this year’s Eurovision is completely different. There isn’t the same sense of joy, there’s been discord.”

On Wednesday, Golan performed at the dress rehearsal of the semi-final and was booed when she took to the stage.

Josslin Pioffet, who was in the arena that evening, and at yesterday’s demonstration, said: “There was some booing and some cheering and some people protested silently – they turned their backs, covered their ears and bowed their heads during Israel’s song.”

Sara Robeh, who is of Palestinian heritage and lives in Malmo, said it was meaningful to see thousands of people showing up in an act of solidarity.

“It means a lot that so many people support Palestine,” she said. “We are against people killing people, we are against people killing kids for no reason and that’s why we are here. The genocide has to stop.”

Klaus Goldschmitt had travelled the short distance from Copenhagen and was part of the group Jews for Just Peace.

He said a cultural boycott was important as it would show Israel how much the world objected to its actions.

Later in the day, in another part of the city, a pro-Israeli demonstration was held.

On Wednesday, the Israeli head of delegation told reporters: “It’s a mission for us to be here and to hear our voices.

“The song is so accurate. ‘I am still broken from this hurricane’ – we’ve been through awful things.”

Speaking before the semi-final yesterday, Ireland’s head of delegation, Michael Kealy, said RTÉ would never consider boycotting the song contest, despite calls to do so.

“We are a public-service broadcaster and we don’t take political stands on issues when it comes to things like this,” he said.

“The BBC don’t, French television don’t, STV don’t, no public-service broadcaster in Europe would.

“Because if we withdraw, that’s the end of the Olympics, that’s the end of the Euros, that’s the end of the World Cup. All the fun in our lives would be taken away.”

He also spoke about Ireland making it through to the grand final.

“I think our act, Bambie Thug, is so different and unique and it is clearly not everyone’s cup of tea just judging by what people say online, but you can’t ignore it. You just cannot ignore it,” he said.

“It’s a piece of art, it’s a piece of theatre. Bambie is a true artist and I think they are going to be a global star, no matter what happens here on Saturday.”