Thousands protest in Vienna against Israel’s participation in Eurovision Song Contest
Several thousand people have on Saturday braved the rain in Vienna to protest against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, a few hours before the start of the final of the contest in the Austrian capital. Under the slogan “No stage for genocide”, they marched through the city.
The demonstrators had gathered at Christian-Broda-Platz in Vienna. They carried banners bearing pro-Palestinian messages and slogans denouncing the “hypocrisy” of the Eurovision Song Contest organisers. They believe that Israel, just like Russia, should be excluded from the contest.
“We will not stand idly by today and watch Israel, after committing genocide, being given a platform at the Eurovision Song Contest. Not here in Vienna!” one of the organisers told the crowd.
The demonstrators are staying away from the Wiener Stadthalle, where the final of the event is taking place on Saturday evening. The area is cordoned off. Only local residents and fans with tickets are allowed inside.
The Palestinian ambassador in Vienna, Salah Abdel Shafi, also voiced sharp criticism on Saturday. He says that Israel is guilty of genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip. The country’s participation in the song contest is “an insult to art, to culture, to music and to humanity”, he said.
Demonstration against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna © PHOTO Joe Klamar / AFP
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