Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden.
The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the annual music competition over its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Pro-Palestinian groups are expected to stage large protests in Malmo to raise awareness of their cause.
Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union that runs the show each year, said ticket holders are only allowed to bring and display flags representing countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-colored flag.
I’ve been anti-jihadist since 2001 and anti-Hamas since I learned about them a few years ago so we have something in common.
However I’ve also been anti-Israeli government since I learned of their persistent oppression of the Palestinian people around the same time.
Please don’t conflate my opposition of one government with the support of another. And don’t confuse my hatred of a country’s government with a hatred of its citizens - I am not anti-Israeli.