Watch as thousands protest against Israel’s Eurovision entry ahead of final in Malmo

Watch as thousands of people protest against Israel’s Eurovision entry ahead of Saturday’s final in Malmo tonight (11 May).

Israel’s Eden Golan place in the competiton has been mired in controversy as protests have taken place across Sweden in the lead-up to the contest.

On Thursday ahead of the semi-final where Golan qualified, Greta Thunberg joined pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Malmo.

The 21-year-old Swedish activist claimed on social media that Israel is trying to “artwash” the contest, referencing the use of artistic performance to distract from perceived negative actions, and accusing the country of genocide in the Gaza strip.

Israel has strongly denied any accusations of genocide and maintained it has the right to defend itself following the attacks launched by Hamas in October that saw more than 1,000 Israelis killed and kidnapped.

Earlier on Saturday, Dutch act Joost Klein was disqualified from the grand final following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour, the European Broadcasting Union said.