Eurovision protest against Israeli singer was 'outrageous', Rishi Sunak says

Rishi Sunak on Friday echoed Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in slamming protests taking place in Sweden against Israel’s participation in Eurovision.

Up to 12,000 pro-Palestinian protesters including Greta Thunberg marched through Malmo in Sweden on Thursday to condemn Israel taking part because of the war in Gaza.

Nevertheless, Israel’s entrant Eden Golan made it through the semi-final and will compete in Saturday’s Grand Final, when more protests are expected.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister thinks that these protests are wrong and some of the scenes we’ve seen have been outrageous.”

The UK Government shares in “deep concern” at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and backs the right to peaceful protest along with Israel’s right to self-defence, she told reporters.

But she added that Mr Sunak “thinks it is wrong and unfair to call for a boycott of their act”.

“When it comes to this debate around Eurovision in these protests, we are incredibly mindful of the Israelis and also Jewish people around the world who love Eurovision and their feelings at seeing this in the aftermath of what was an atrocious terror attack, and while hostages are still being held by Hamas, and he would urge people to consider this when repeating these unfair calls for a boycott.”

More than 34,000 Gazans have been killed in Israel’s invasion since Hamas fighters killed 1,200 Israelis in surprise raids on October 7.

Ms Golan’s performance on Thursday of her song Hurricane - renamed from October Rain - was met with some boos but also cheers inside the Malmo venue.

Ireland’s entrant Bambie Thug was required to remove pro-Palestinian messages from their costume when they performed in the first semi-final on Tuesday night.

Ms Golan was given tight security by Israeli authorities and Swedish police, warned at one point not to leave her hotel.

Ahead of the show, Mr Netanyahu released a video message to wish the 20-year-old good luck.

He said that whatever the result, “you have already succeeded”.

“You not only face Eurovision in a proud and impressive way, but you successfully face a wave of antisemitism while standing and representing the State of Israel with respect.”

Protest organisers denied antisemitic intent but said they were calling for a halt to the “genocide” of Palestinians, an accusation vigorously denied by Israel amid the war with Hamas.