Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden.

The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the annual music competition over its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Pro-Palestinian groups are expected to stage large protests in Malmo to raise awareness of their cause.

Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union that runs the show each year, said ticket holders are only allowed to bring and display flags representing countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-colored flag.

  • Linkerbaan@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Good thing they banned Russia though. Totally doesn’t make them look like massive hypocrites.

  • taanegl@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    The gay can stay, but Palestine go away.

    I think it’s perfectly fitting that Palestine’s flag be on display, taking into consideration all the meddling and financial support going on, which begs the question: what other flags would need to be on display? Afghani? Iraqi?

    If we’re going to have representation, let us have representation.

    • lud@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      I think it’s perfectly fitting that Palestine’s flag be on display, taking into consideration all the meddling and financial support going on,

      Can you please clarify what you mean by meddling and financial support.

  • arymandias@feddit.de
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    6 months ago

    What a hill to die on. They banned Russia; it would have been such an easy and consistent decision to ban Israel too, especially when they started deliberately starving Palestinian civilians. Can’t wait for the PR response the moment this Genocide becomes officially recognized, “wir haben es nicht gewusst“ 2.0