From Eric Saade to Ireland's Bambie Thug, on stage protests have taken place as authorities in Swedish city of Malmö are on full alert, with the second semi-final taking place today.
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00:00Authorities are on full alert following heightened tensions leading up to this year's Eurovision
00:08semi-final.
00:11The competition continues to be overshadowed by protests against Israel's participation.
00:19There have been calls for Israel to be excluded because of its conduct during the war against
00:25The last song was Elektra's Banner.
00:43Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters could be seen gathering outside the venue.
00:51Israel's representative 20-year-old Eden Golan was reportedly confirmed to her hotel room
00:57while she isn't performing due to heightened security concerns.
01:01The Israeli singer was forced to change the title of her song, originally called October
01:24Rain, in apparent reference to Hamas' October 7th attack.
01:28Palestinian flags were banned at the venue after Sweden's contestant Erik Sade, whose
01:33father is of Palestinian origin, wore a traditional Middle Eastern scarf during his opening performance.
01:39The scarf has become an international symbol of pro-Palestinian sentiments.
01:44The competition's final will take place this Saturday.