The final will be held from May 7 to 11 in Malmö, Sweden 68th Eurovision Song Contest. The qualified countries included: Israel, which in a special statement from the ministry he warned his citizens against the risk of a terrorist attack due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tel Aviv argues, the purpose of the statement is “raising the awareness of Israeli society about the threat in various locations, which has only increased since the start of Operation Iron Swords (codename of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip – ed.) due to increased motivation attackers around the world to carry out attacks.”
Israel warns against Sweden. Hamas actions in the background
The ministry's statement states that he caused the start of military operations in the Gaza Strip “increased motivation Hamasu to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews abroad.”
The resort emphasized that in December 2023 in several European countries “broad Hamas infrastructure” was discovered, which planned attacks on Israeli targets, including: w Sweden i Germany. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warns its citizens against the extreme right, which – in Tel Aviv's opinion – is spreading in the broadly understood Western countries.
The government of Israel provided several examples of hate attacks in countries such as: France, Germany, Great BritainUSA, You have, Australia or also China.
Eurovision. Sweden assures that the police will cope
Meanwhile, as reported by AFP, Sweden is preparing for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest and assures that local services will “they will rise to the occasion.”
– We have a conflict between Israel and Hamas; war in Ukraine, which affected Sweden particularly; there is also an increased risk of hybrid war; there are cyberattacks – lists Malmö's security chief Ulf Nilsson and adds that we all “live today in troubled times.”
A petition has recently been created in Swedish society entitled: “No Eurovision in Malmö if Israel participates.” The document was collected over 800 signatures and is to be discussed at the April meeting of the City Council.
However, the government will consider the proposal only symbolicallybecause the European Broadcasting Union has already ruled that there is no question of excluding Tel Aviv from participating in the event in connection with activities in the Gaza Strip.
Eurovision in Sweden. The authorities are expecting a demonstration
Representatives of the Swedish public television SVT argue that they expect anti-Israel demonstrations in front of the Malmö Arena, as well as inside it, and they are “completely prepared”. – We take into account various scenarios – said Ebba Adielsson from SVT in an interview with AFP.
– This is Sweden and we are in Malmö. We want to show that you can have different opinions, but at the same time they can be expressed peacefully – said Karin Karlsson from the city hall, who is responsible for organizing the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
The services expect him to take part in the event approximately 100 thousand people from nearly 80 countries. The police promised to have it available with great forces, but does not reveal whether reinforcements will be called if necessary.
Source: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFP
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