Thousands gathered in Malmö, Sweden, protesting Israel’s involvement in Eurovision amid ongoing global outcry over its actions in Gaza. Demonstrators, carrying banners denouncing genocide and chanting anti-Israel slogans, expressed their opposition before the second semi-final. The European Broadcasting Union defended Israel’s participation as a competition between public service providers, not governments. The controversy extended to a song referencing October 7, prompting organizers to ban it for political neutrality violations, leading Israel to re-enter with a revised entry.