0:03

Aljazeera podcasts, Today

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this Eurovision. Song Contest.

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Local song contest that set

0:17

off mass protests. I

0:20

think there's no way that

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Israel's will be able to

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participate in your vision. Why

0:27

Israel's participation in Eurovision threatens

0:30

to overshadow the whole event?

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I'm willing to be land and this is the

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take. Baby.

0:44

Lasagna, Bambee,

0:47

Thug, Windows,

0:50

Ninety Five. Man. These.

0:55

Are just some of the competitors

0:57

making headlines at this year's Eurovision?

0:59

in Malmo? Sweden? All.

1:02

Of them are hoping to achieve the

1:04

kind of worldwide fame that launch the

1:06

careers of Abba and Celine Dion. Those.

1:09

Current competitors name's seem on

1:12

brand with Euro Visions quirky

1:14

style of entertainment that's delighted

1:16

audiences for almost seventy years.

1:19

In. Twenty Twenty Four. Organizers are

1:21

hoping for more of the same. But.

1:24

This year's contest with Israel competing

1:26

against the backdrop of the War

1:29

on Gaza is no ordinary affair.

1:35

Nils Adler isn't Aljazeera producer based

1:37

in Sweden. Reporting from Ammo. I

1:39

spoke to him on Thursday before

1:41

the end of the semifinals. I'm

1:44

a producer without his era. I report

1:46

from Los a different locations including Israel,

1:49

Palestine or right now up outside of

1:51

member in the south, the Sweden, What

1:54

nails? Welcome back to the Take

1:57

for our audience that's outside of

1:59

your who may not be familiar

2:01

with Eurovision or the fact. That

2:04

not every country in it is.

2:06

In Europe. Can you

2:08

give us a taste of the

2:10

Eurovision mania? Especially in. This year's

2:12

host nation Sweden. So

2:15

just a brief explain where

2:17

your vision is is so

2:19

international. Some competition organized by

2:21

the European protesting Union Bb

2:24

You and participating countries paper

2:26

for weights and original entry

2:28

that then performs life and.

2:31

The. Public in those countries than

2:33

so said s a rat's

2:35

ass. And and rather us a massive

2:37

the most. My points is the ultimate winner

2:40

of your business. The.

2:42

Last year Sweden one Your Vision says

2:44

hosting your Vision Now and member. To.

2:46

Explain to people who don't know your

2:49

vision is it's is very upset his

2:51

kids. And perhaps. Am.

2:54

I going to be rude but I just

2:56

described music is your trust. Said

3:01

it's fun as commercial.

3:05

I say a six year old son

3:07

is obsessive in the songs but it's

3:09

not necessarily once the music sonos am

3:11

but you sleep whoever wins your vision.

3:13

the some will become very popular that

3:15

year and. Silver. So as

3:17

clubs. Citizens. Who

3:19

is a great entry? They

3:22

come out with some heavy Roth's

3:24

easy for semitism Unusual seems. So

3:30

get sick like ten seats. I.

3:35

Would say incentive standout performances. The Rain:

3:38

The Swedish artists she came out with

3:40

said two different songs. I Become Suits

3:42

hits. At last year's tattoos become

3:44

a bit hits twelve. It. Sweden

3:47

actually has. A domestic

3:49

competition. Tooth. Pick.

3:51

The winner for the eventually rationed competition.

3:53

And that is suits. About

3:55

one in three Swedes tune in to see

3:58

the final of that's domestic competition for. The

4:00

deepest about him. So in Sweden

4:02

your vision is absolutely massive. Salary

4:05

and winning last year was a

4:07

really big a deal. So.

4:10

This is the sixty eighth

4:12

edition. Of year old presented sounds

4:15

like based on what you're describing

4:17

is usually pretty lights and fra

4:19

normally. Not so much this year. Can

4:22

you explain the controversy to us?

4:28

The. Controversy around your vision is in

4:30

some ways that antithesis of what's

4:32

your vision is supposed to be

4:34

just a happy and lucky music

4:36

competition. But of course, participation has

4:38

changed everything. That

4:40

if we take a step back was

4:42

interesting about this is events is that

4:44

is be held in Mama which is

4:46

Sweden's said biggest city. One

4:48

in every three am I'm a residence

4:51

a foreign born had a majority of

4:53

those am in Iraq or Syria as

4:55

so it is a metropolitan city and

4:57

it's multi cultural so winning the right

4:59

to host the competition was a big

5:02

deal The city in a way it

5:04

was meant to sedate to good set

5:06

of a tad. The multiculturalism am is

5:08

also been much maligned in the media.

5:10

Having high crime rates is also for

5:13

than and with if I fall right

5:15

now it's just the kind of connects

5:17

the high, them the migration. With

5:19

these high levels of crime. So.

5:21

Yeah is a chance to kind of rewrite his identity.

5:27

But. Then of course when. Your. Vision

5:29

tend to mama hands. The war in

5:32

Gaza began. And. Israel's participation

5:34

was concerns in December, everything

5:36

kind of slipped. And the

5:38

fat sets. The. City

5:40

has a very strong anti Zionists.

5:43

History. Kind of tend to the for.

5:46

So. Right now there

5:48

is huge matches going on, has been

5:50

lodged private as team demonstrations for many

5:52

many years and mama so I think

5:55

it's not just he says participation but

5:57

is where it is that makes it

5:59

so. Hence this year.

6:03

So. Basically we are

6:05

seeing mass protest because of

6:07

the War on Gaza. As.

6:10

Many as twenty thousand protesters.

6:12

Are expected to take to the city

6:14

streets on Saturday. What's. Going on

6:16

there. Wow. There's

6:18

been a very, very strong protest

6:20

movements since Israel was a specialist

6:23

a fog back in a December

6:25

last year, and as has been

6:27

gradually growing around over thousand Swedish

6:29

office signed a petition wanting to

6:32

see Israel. Bands said boycotted the

6:34

competition. Some one

6:36

thousand or to see your vision host

6:38

country Sweden including pop star Robin have

6:40

called for Israel's The Band over the

6:42

war in Gaza. And

6:45

since then a lot of authors who would

6:47

you to perform the acts that surround the

6:49

defense, but twenty percent of them have withdrawn

6:51

their participation. Because. It's Israel

6:54

taking part. Right now

6:56

and mama you have murals with pro

6:58

Palestinian for seats. he he will say

7:00

have a lot of protest events taking

7:02

place. They could. Have

7:04

yes have said esteem Vision. Which. Is

7:06

A an Alternative is what they

7:09

describe as a genocide free alternative

7:11

to the Eurovision Song Contest. So

7:17

it follows the same format. Seguin has semifinals

7:19

some and you can have a final say

7:21

reed best. Kind of fun who taught us

7:23

if it's how the device hit. Part.

7:26

Of Mama. Use. A have them

7:28

shipped to Gaza which is a ship is

7:30

part of the Freedom Settler. I

7:32

was a sealants the blockade of Gaza

7:34

thus.some I have my mama now. Hosting

7:37

lots of family friendly events essays,

7:39

painting, Poetry Slams is a reggae

7:41

arts is performing as a rock

7:44

House is performing. So

7:48

yeah, this house hosted some sense of

7:50

protests events going on in the moment.

7:57

After the break while wearing a playlist and.

8:00

Interfere got one former contestant.

8:02

A slap on the rest. Get

8:07

anything less than three minutes three times per

8:09

day for the Aljazeera news updates disaster hum

8:12

device to play the news by Al Jazeera

8:14

for subscribe for have a listen to podcasts.

8:24

So. The else. The. Israeli contest

8:27

and performed in the semifinal on

8:29

Thursday. And. She

8:31

was booed during a rehearsal on

8:33

When Say. Protesters

8:38

feel that Israel sit have been.

8:40

Banned from the event altogether and many of

8:42

them are pointing to what they see as

8:44

a precedents from just two years ago. That's.

8:47

When Russia was banned from your

8:49

vision because if it's invasion of

8:51

Ukraine. The owners and people

8:54

are putting out not saying

8:56

that was it was a

8:58

complete with quote bring the

9:00

contests into disrepute Ankles meaning

9:02

disgrace. See.

9:05

That people saying that there's a

9:07

double standard when it comes to

9:09

comparing these two situations. How

9:11

has Eurovision responded to that? Yeah

9:15

so. The. Day after

9:17

Russia invaded Ukraine, they were banned

9:19

from your if isn't. And.

9:22

That's Not happen. So protests have called

9:24

up a double standards and what? As

9:27

I see at the beginning club

9:29

bland statements how did Edu and

9:31

basically always point to the fact

9:33

that this is a non political

9:35

events. So. We haven't really be

9:37

given to a clarification why that double

9:39

standards exist at a moment's. Bought

9:42

you see now? The. Swedish opening

9:44

acts he's off Palestinian of

9:46

Swedish guy who has performed

9:48

and he added to say

9:51

around his wrist and the

9:53

Admin. Feel

9:57

seen some signs of protests.

10:00

The towards this fed. And

10:02

was that seen as controversial?

10:05

Yeah. He got a slap in the risks. From.

10:07

The organizers and they came out

10:09

and said that they're disappointed that

10:12

he had. Displayed.

10:14

A political. Symbol. Sam.

10:16

He replied saying that he didn't see splitsville

10:19

symbol his father had given them the cafe

10:21

or ads told him that it's to reminds

10:23

him of way he comes from. And

10:25

that I see seeing his political symbol was racist

10:28

said has been a bit of back and forth.

10:30

Between him and he organizes. So

10:36

the former your of isn't contestant.a slap on

10:38

the rest as he. Said but he wasn't

10:40

the only one. There was also an

10:42

incident. With. The. Contestant

10:45

from Ireland Bambee! Thug.

10:50

Who was told to remove the word cease Fire

10:52

and Freedom for Palestine. From there I'll say can

10:54

you trust me about Bambee Thought. Bambee!

10:57

Sock has been voicing opposition

10:59

to Israel's participation from before

11:01

this event. The Dad. So.

11:04

He was kind of expected but I have

11:06

to say was quite a. Creative

11:08

form of protest. so they add

11:11

Ceasefire Now written in an H

11:13

language so I think you had

11:15

people backstage scrambling to find out

11:17

what the translation was of that

11:20

size and days. Synthesized Bambee thugs

11:22

said tennis explain that thus from

11:24

a protest. I think when you

11:26

just the final then we really

11:29

get to see some real creative

11:31

ways artistic at a protest. And

11:33

I mean yes. Remember, there's a

11:35

lot of high profile Swedish artists.

11:38

That if sign this petition to see is

11:40

Ralph Boycott as he got robin. Is

11:43

pretty Sweden's biggest pop icon as

11:45

is huge in the Us around the

11:47

world. She. Came out sign that

11:49

petitions. I think when you have high profile

11:51

people come out like that than a really

11:54

gives other artists a lot is and I

11:56

kind of courage to come out soon and

11:58

then chewing than. Sodium.

12:01

By the time our audience listens

12:03

to this episode, the semi finals

12:06

will be over. And their twenty

12:08

six finalists who will compete on Saturday.

12:10

Will be sad. Is or

12:12

sense that your vision is cracking down

12:14

on artists when it comes to freedom

12:16

of speech? Or are these just normal

12:18

occurrences that happen every year. Definitely

12:21

this year it's reached a new level.

12:23

Under has been some criticism before but

12:26

I think we have to go back

12:28

to am the ban on Russia and

12:30

the participation of Ukraine and as the

12:32

posse years has been just as waves

12:34

are. Support Ukraine in last year of

12:37

his songs on Tests Ukraine One it's

12:39

a couple of years ago and it

12:41

was held. In Uk because cause

12:43

they can hold in Ukraine and I mean

12:45

that you had the level of he twentieth

12:47

symbolism. Was. Incredible. We had

12:50

he pretty flags everywhere it's yet Artist

12:52

Cameo support of Edu had or to

12:54

Century lyrics to sizable City Tiny Insects

12:56

That was a really big deal. And

12:59

then he's kind of compare that with now

13:01

where this is the complete ban on any.

13:04

You. Cannot have a policy is said. And

13:06

he can have any place to be a symbol. So.

13:13

Let's. Talk about the significance of

13:15

all of this tension unfolding.

13:17

His mama. It's.

13:19

A city that. Is not

13:21

all sin in the news that has

13:24

been so. More recently to

13:26

do a series of. Burnings

13:28

of the put on something that

13:30

is legally allowed in Sweden under

13:33

the. Country's free speech laws.

13:36

And as humans in, Malmo has

13:38

the significant migrant and Muslim population.

13:40

Of people who protested those

13:42

for on burnings so. To.

13:45

Add kindling to. As the

13:47

fire here of the ten cents that

13:50

the city is already seeing over this.

13:52

Company. Since. I'm eve

13:55

reported that there are for and burning

13:57

events planned. for this weekend as

13:59

well near. The Eurovision. Then

14:01

you, How does all of that

14:03

play into. What? We've been talking about.

14:06

The. Plans to on banning fetches canoe adds

14:08

to the tension but I have been

14:10

to a sea of these am from

14:13

Bannings in stop him so another city

14:15

and in Sweden and after say that

14:17

the muslim community lots of has can

14:19

met this very antagonistic act. Very

14:22

peacefully. A lot of them

14:24

had gone without. Instead, it's not close

14:26

again. This comes with added weight with

14:28

Israel's participation in the Eurovision. So atoll

14:30

say that there when be some trouble

14:32

as I said is advancing a mystic

14:34

act. It depends kind of where it

14:36

is an bit police. They want these

14:39

come on buddies to go ahead as

14:41

spoken to many of them and they

14:43

have tried to block these companies from

14:45

going ahead but the courts you see

14:47

override them. However, they has more than

14:49

a years experience with dealing with a

14:51

now so they're actually giving. The person

14:53

bunning the koran. As as smallest

14:55

state as possible. So. They'll

14:57

find a little corner somewhere the city

14:59

down release information as as late as

15:02

they can find downplay at a lot

15:04

of sweet media on covering it anymore,

15:06

so I'm hoping I'm hosting it as

15:08

without instance. Well,

15:13

keeping all of that in mind, I

15:15

wanna end. with your of isn't.

15:18

Because. The slogan for your

15:21

vision is united by music but

15:23

with all of the tension in

15:25

Malmo. the sweet. What has

15:27

happened to that messaging? Was there

15:29

ever a time that the event

15:31

wasn't political? Cs

15:35

I would say I remember

15:37

Eurovision growing up as just

15:39

a very tits. Lau.

15:42

It's fun events that didn't kind

15:44

of come under this political clout,

15:46

but I think the fact that

15:48

they've allowed Israel to be treated

15:50

in this event but have banned

15:52

Russia two years ago, no one

15:55

can really ignorance so this phrase

15:57

united by nice It is a

15:59

very unfortunate. Twice had a

16:01

organizers to have gone with and

16:03

you actually have sought their the

16:05

Swedish artist who? What Have to

16:07

say I come out and ironically

16:09

use it back at the organizers.

16:11

So same I would a cafe

16:13

because ultimately I believe that we

16:16

should the united by nice. It.

16:18

So. Is already you're starting to see

16:20

a bit of a backlash. And to that

16:22

slogan. And

16:28

that's the take. This episode was

16:31

produced by a system. Of how

16:33

try Chloe, Kaylee, and Sonia but

16:35

that was the in a better

16:37

thirty second partner David Enders City

16:39

is clearly Samaritan. Doctor Catherine New

16:41

hand hundreds of upon Amy Walters

16:44

and me. Money to be lot. Are

16:47

sound designer is Alex Rolled down

16:49

Alexandra Lock is the takes executive

16:51

producer and They Alvarez is Aljazeera

16:53

Had of Audio. Will. Be back

16:55

tomorrow.