Drums and Palestinian slogans roar from the street. The police estimate that between 6,000 and 8,000 people participate in the demonstration for Palestine in Malmö – due to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision song contest.
– It’s wrong. They shouldn’t organize Eurovision because of Israel, says Manae who is one of the protesters.
At 6 p.m., a musical demonstration in support of Israel’s participation is expected at Davidshallstorg.
One more demonstration will take place in Malmö before the second semi-final – in which Israel’s Eden Gola is one of the competitors – gets under way.
Despite the extensive demonstrations, things have so far been peaceful according to the police.
– We haven’t had any major problems at all, says dialog police officer Magnus Björn-Bentzen.
The police state that they have had reasonably good cooperation with the organizer.
– We have meetings with them and make sure that they use their good powers in every way to make this a calm and safe demonstration, he says.