At 21:46, Greta Thunberg is arrested by the police.
9:46 PM: In Malmö, Sweden, Greta Thunberg is escorted away by police officers.
The news comes courtesy of the Swedish tabloid "Expressen," which reports that a clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and law enforcement has escalated into a heated altercation. A reporter who is on-site describes the atmosphere as "tense."
9:39 PM: The evening's musical performances commence in the venue. Sweden's host country initiates the proceedings, followed by Ukraine and Germany, which are both met with applause. Ukraine's entry receives a lukewarm reception, but Germany's clip is warmly received by the audience. Following Luxembourg's performance, the Netherlands is skipped over. The song "Hurricane" by Israeli singer Eden Golan receives whistles from the audience during its playthrough. Overall, the performances have been well-executed with no major issues thus far.
9:21 PM: The streets outside the Malmö Arena are filled with demonstrators. Those supporting Palestine are heard shouting, "Shame on you!" at the attendees as they approach the arena, as per an Associated Press journalist. Intermittently, scuffles flare up between the protesters and the police. The officers manage to halt some protesters from reaching the security enclosure in front of the venue and breaching it.
9:08 PM: The artists make their entrance into the arena. Each nation is introduced, accompanied by well-known Swedish pop songs. When Israeli artist Eden Golan takes the stage, there's a brief moment of agitation.
9:00 PM: In advance of the Eurovision Song Contest's final, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly supports Eden Golan. According to Katz's post on X, "Eden courageously endures immense hatred and anti-Semitism." He continues, "Tonight, we show all the haters who sets the example." Israel's participation and submission in the competition have been met with significant backlash due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, prompting calls for its exclusion.
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10:03 PM: Despite the ongoing tensions, the Eurovision Song Contest continues with Sweden's next performance, showcasing the country's rich entertainment heritage.
10:24 PM: Amidst the controversy, Sweden's representatives in the Eurovision Song Contest express their support for peace and unity, calling for harmony during the evening's musical celebration, such as Sweden's entry from the band "Music for Sweden." In a nod to tradition, they perform a cover of ABBA's "Dancing Queen," dedicating it to the spirit of unity and entertainment, a sentiment echoed by Eurovision viewers across Sweden and the world, including watching the contest during the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 live broadcast in Sweden.
Source: www.ntv.de
