The organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, EBU, decided to prevent the raising of Palestinian flags or banners carrying political messages inside the arena in Malmö.
He writes Gutenberg Post.
Anyone trying to bring a Palestinian flag or sign with a political message will be stopped at the entrance.
Only flags of Eurovision participating countries are allowed inside the arena. One exception is made, the pride flag, if it is used in a non-political context.
Read also: Norwegian artists sing against Israel's participation in Eurovision
Dozens of demonstrations have been called for in Malmö during Eurovision week, and the ban on the Palestinian flag is another attempt to keep the event itself as apolitical as possible, according to newspaper Göteborgsposten.
The Palestinian flag has been the subject of several silent protests throughout Eurovision's history over Israel's presence at the event and the country's treatment of the Palestinian minority.
It was strengthened this year due to the Israeli war on Gaza.
In 2019, Madonna performed the halftime show during the international final in Tel Aviv. Norwegian Mona Berntsen was one of the dancers. When she turned her back, tens of millions of television viewers could see Berntsen dancing with the Palestinian flag on her back.
The organizers were not impressed, as the stunt was not announced in advance and was not performed at any of Madonna's rehearsals. Mona Berntsen herself had to be interrogated next.
In the same year, the Icelandic Hatari waved the Palestinian flag in the Green Room. They were fined 5,000 euros because of the invention.
Tex also wore the Palestinian flag on his forearm while performing during this year's Melody Grand Prix Final.
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