|
Sweden has promised a dazzling show from May 7-11, but it will
take place amid demonstrations over Israel's military assault on
the Gaza Strip, triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel,
which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The Jewish community of around 1,200 people is worried it could
become a target of large protests planned for May 9, when Israel
will take part in the second semi-final, and again on the day of
the final, May 11.
"There's a certain feeling of apprehension, of tension. I can't
say that I'm not worried," Felix Krausz Sjögren, a guide at the
synagogue in Malmo, told Reuters.
"With Israel being in the Eurovision, the emotions will be even
more heightened, and maybe the synagogue will be a target of
protests. It's not unthinkable."
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the
contest, resisted calls for Israel and its contestant, Eden
Golan, to be excluded.
Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city, has a large Muslim
community, with the biggest groups originating from Iraq and
Syria.
Gang crime has flourished in Malmo and other large Swedish
cities for years, fuelled by the drugs trade and linked to poor
integration of the immigrant community.
The Jewish community often invites school classes to the
synagogue.
"If we have a class with many Muslim kids visiting, we often
find that we have a lot in common. We have seen very positive
encounters here," said Fredrik Sieradzki, who heads the Jewish
Learning Centre in Malmo.
"Eurovision will, of course, not be of help in that sense, but
it will pass and then we'll continue with our lives."
Israel was permitted to compete after it agreed to modify the
lyrics of its original song "October Rain" which the EBU said
made reference to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
While members of the Jewish community in Malmo have not been
subject to physical violence, Sjögren says he is nervous about
wearing his Jewish kippah in public.
"I probably wouldn't do that during Eurovision week. I would be
on the safe side and make sure to have something to cover it
with."
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Nick Macfie)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
