Row over Israel's Eurovision slot overshadows run-up to final

Israel's presence in the Eurovision song contest triggered fierce debate Friday amid protests in the host city, while the Dutch contestant was mysteriously pulled from rehearsals on the eve of the final.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Malmo on Thursday before Israeli singer Eden Golan made it through to the final on Saturday when more protests are expected.

German Culture Minister Claudia Roth and other governments denounced calls to boycott Israeli artists over their country's actions in Gaza however.

"Especially in these times, we need more cultural cooperation between Europe and Israel," she posted on X, formerly Twitter, calling boycott demands "absolutely unacceptable".

France's European Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told Liberation newspaper that "politics has no place in Eurovision". But in Spain, the far-left Sumar party, part of the coalition government, launched a petition calling for Israel to be excluded from the competition.

Israel is one of 26 nations competing Saturday in a contest watched around the world by millions of lovers of the pop sounds -- and kitschy shows.

Some online betting sites list Golan among the favourites to win, along with Baby Lasagna from Croatia, Ukraine's Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil, and Nemo from Switzerland.

- A controversial entry -

More controversy erupted after the European Broadcasting Union organisers announced that Dutch competitor Joost Klein had been prevented from rehearsing Friday over an unspecified "incident".

Dutch broadcaster SVT suggested the incident had been a confrontation with a photographer.

Dutch broadcasting association AVROTROS said an investigation was continuing and that it was in "constant talks" with the EBU.

During rehearsals, Klein had paraded with other participants ahead of the performances but did not go on stage when it was his turn.

At the end of Thursday's semi-final, the 26-year-old had appeared to object to being placed beside Golan, at several points covering his face with a Dutch flag.

This is not the first time international conflict has overshadowed Eurovision.

Russia's state broadcaster was excluded from the EBU following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Golan's song in the contest has already sparked controversy.

It is an adaptation of an earlier version named "October Rain". She modified it after contest organisers deemed it too political because of apparent allusions to Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

Before she qualified for the final, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Golan good luck, saying she had "already won" by enduring the protests that he called a "horrible wave of anti-Semitism".

- Thousands join protest -

More than 10,000 people including climate activist Greta Thunberg gathered in Malmo's main square on Thursday, according to police estimates.

Malmo is home to a large immigrant population, including many of Palestinian and other Middle Eastern origins.

"I am a Eurovision fan and it breaks my heart, but I'm boycotting," 30-year-old protester Hilda, who did not want to provide her surname, told AFP.

"I can't have fun knowing that Israel is there participating when all those kids are dying. I think it's just wrong."

About 100 counter-protesters gathered under police protection to express their support for Israel.

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Militants also took about 250 hostages. Israel estimates 128 of them remain in Gaza, including 36 who officials say are dead.

Israel in response vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that has killed at least 34,943 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

Several petitions this year have called for Israel's exclusion from the 68th edition of the competition.

At the end of March, contestants from nine countries, including Swiss favourite Nemo, called for a lasting ceasefire.