The announcement comes ahead of an expected influx of travel to Sweden for the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 7
Israel has raised its travel warnings for the duration of the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden this year due to planned protests.
The Israeli National Security Agency said it plans to raise the threat level from two to three amid heightened tensions over the war in Gaza. Widespread protests are expected to cast a shadow over the event.
The NISA advisory said: “Malmo is recognized as a hub for anti-Israel protests, given its high concentration of immigrants from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran. These protests are a weekly occurrence and often involve demonstrations, calls for harm against Jews and Israelis, and the burning of Israeli flags, among other actions. Notably, on October 7 (the day of Hamas’ attack on Israel), anti-Israeli elements in Malmo openly celebrated the tragic events that occurred in Israel.”
“Furthermore, alongside the protests in Malmo, there has been a recent surge in calls from global jihadist groups and radical Islamists to carry out attacks against Western targets. This includes specific threats against Israelis and Jews worldwide, with a particular focus on events garnering significant media attention. In light of this, it’s worth mentioning that just recently (on March 19), two ISIS activists were apprehended for plotting an attack on the Swedish parliament.”
It comes after the Eurovision organisers said 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 (EBU) that runs the show each year, said ticket buyers are only allowed to bring and display flags that represent countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-coloured flag.
The Geneva-based EBU reserves the right “to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalising the TV shows”, she told The Associated Press.
She was responding after Swedish newspaper Goteborgs-Posten reported on Thursday that contest organisers had banned Palestinian flags and political banners at the event.
National flags are a common sight during the contest as fans cheer on their country’s acts and those they support. The glitzy gala, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers each year, is hosting the event from May 7-11 in Malmo in southern Sweden, following last year’s victory by Loreen for its performance of Tattoo last year.
Winners earn the right for their country to host the following year’s event: Sweden is set to host for a record-equalling 7th time. Swedish police have warned that security will be tight, citing a threat of terrorism in the wealthy Nordic country.
Pro-Palestinian activists who want Israel – a former winner – out of the Eurovision Song Contest have announced large rallies in central Malmo, several miles from the Malmo Arena contest venue.
Last month Swedish police said they had received an application for a demonstration in Malmo to burn a copy of the Koran before the contest.
Sweden raised its terror threat level last year following a series of burnings of the Koran that triggered protests in the Muslim world.
In recent weeks, reaction around the world to the war between Israel and Hamas has led to large protests on US university campuses and beyond.