Armed police have been posted outside the hotel of Israeli singer Eden Golan as Swedish authorities set up a ring of steel in Malmo ahead of her appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest final.
Dozens of officers patrolled streets surrounding the hotel, carrying out identity checks on car drivers and pedestrians and also patrolling the city centre following demands from pro-Palestine protestors that she be excluded from the competition.
Most of those staying at the hotel are members of Israel’s Eurovision delegation and anyone entering is asked to provide a valid reason and show identity documents.
A large Stop Israel demonstration is planned for Saturday in central Malmo when the final takes place while around 10,000 attended a protest on Thursday against Israel’s participation in the famous song competition.
Roads around the Malmo Arena, where Saturday’s final is being held have already been sealed off with armed officers patrolling the area. Concrete barriers have also been set up around the venue along with special bomb security barriers following concerns that it may be targeted in a terrorist attack.
Armed police have been posted outside the hotel of Israeli singer Eden Golan as Swedish authorities set up a ring of steel in Malmo ahead of her appearance
Armed police guard hotels where performers are staying Extra security in Malmo ahead of The Grand Final of Eurovision
It has emerged that officials from Israel’s national security agency Shin Bet visited Malmo last week to review security arrangements for Eden and other members of her team
Police use pepper spray and fight back Pro-Palestinian protesters in central Malmo during the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
Only flags representing the countries taking part as well as rainbow-coloured flags will be permitted
It has emerged that officials from Israel’s national security agency Shin Bet visited Malmo last week to review security arrangements for Eden and other members of her team, who find themselves at the centre of intense international attention.
They warned her not to leave her hotel room except for performances which she has been doing under armed guard, with Swedish police outriders accompanying the vehicle she is travelling in.
Organisers have announced that extra checks will be carried out on those attending the final in the 12,000 capacity Malmo Arena and will remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols.
Only flags representing the countries taking part as well as rainbow-coloured flags will be permitted.
One official told MailOnline: ‘We are taking the security of Eden and all the other contestants very seriously but obviously; the focus is on her. This is one of the biggest security operations that has ever been mounted in Malmo.
One official told MailOnline: ‘We are taking the security of Eden and all the other contestants very seriously but obviously; the focus is on her’
‘This is one of the biggest security operations that has ever been mounted in Malmo’, the official added
Road Blocks set up around the Malmo arena
‘The whole world will be watching, and we don’t want this high-profile event to be hijacked by those who are trying to make a point about Israel’s war against Hamas. This has nothing to do with this competition.’
The pro-Palestine demonstration on Thursday was attended by climate activist Greta Thunberg who maintained: ‘Young people are leading the way and showing the world how we should react to this.’
During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom have dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Other banners displayed messages including ‘welcome to Genocide song contest’ and ‘stop using Eurovision to whitewash Israeli crimes’.
Later that evening a crowd of around 300 attempted to storm the Eurovision Village which has been set up in Malmo’s Folkets Park for a series of events and where the final will be broadcast on giant screens.
Swedish police revealed that they made eight arrests, including one for possession of a knife.
During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters
Later that evening a crowd of around 300 attempted to storm the Eurovision Village which has been set up in Malmo’s Folkets Park
Despite the political controversy surrounding Eurovision, thousands of fans have flooded into Malmo for the competition insisting that it has not deterred them from enjoying the occasion
‘We’re not worried about the protests because we’re from Liverpool and have seen a lot worse. For us, it’s all about the music’, said one woman
Despite the political controversy surrounding Eurovision, thousands of fans have flooded into Malmo for the competition insisting that it has not deterred them from enjoying the occasion.
Members of the Over the Water Choir from Liverpool were in the city to perform a series of Eurovision hits for fans in public locations.
Heather Tomlinson told MailOnline: ‘We’re not worried about the protests because we’re from Liverpool and have seen a lot worse. For us, it’s all about the music.
‘This wonderful competition brings people from all kinds of backgrounds together. I support the right to protest, but my heart goes out to Eden. She’s getting ready to perform on what will be the biggest night of her life and it must be hard for her to focus because of what’s going on.’
Fellow choir member Yvonne Sharples said: ‘We’re here to represent Liverpool and England. I don’t think we should let what’s going on in the world interfere with what is a fantastic musical event. It should unite us, not divide us.’
Therese Ryan who had travelled from Milton Keynes said: ‘It’s really important to keep politics out of what’s going on here. People just want to have a good time and a lot of us have opinions about the Israel situation, but this is not the place to discuss them.’