Steel ring for Israel’s Eurovision finalist: armed police patrol hotel where Eden Golan is forced to hide, with major pro-Palestinian demonstration planned before Saturday’s final of the competition

Armed police stationed themselves outside Israeli singer Eden Golan’s hotel as Swedish authorities set up a steel ring in Malmö ahead of her performance in the Eurovision Song Contest final.

Dozens of officers patrolled the streets surrounding the hotel, carrying out identity checks on motorists and pedestrians and also patrolling the city center following demands from pro-Palestinian demonstrators to ban her from the match.

Most guests staying at the hotel are members of Israel’s Eurovision delegation and anyone entering will be asked to provide a valid reason and show identification documents.

A major Stop Israel demonstration is planned for Saturday in central Malmö when the final takes place, while on Thursday around 10,000 people attended a protest against Israel’s participation in the famous song competition.

Roads around the Malmö Arena, where Saturday’s final will be held, have already been closed by armed officers patrolling the area. Concrete barriers have also been erected around the site, along with special bomb protection barriers, amid concerns that it could be the target of a terrorist attack.

Armed police guard hotels where artists stay Extra security in Malmö ahead of the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest

It has emerged that officials from Israel’s Shin Bet national security service visited Malmo last week to review security arrangements for Eden and other members of her team.

Police use pepper spray and fight pro-Palestinian protesters in central Malmö during the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

Only flags representing participating countries and rainbow-colored flags are allowed

It has emerged that officials from Israel’s Shin Bet national security service visited Malmo last week to review security arrangements for Eden and other members of her team, who are at the center of intense international attention.

They warned her not to leave her hotel room except for performances she gave under armed guard, with Swedish police outriders escorting the vehicle in which she was traveling.

Organizers have announced that additional checks will be carried out on those attending the final at the 12,000-capacity Malmö Arena and that all Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols will be removed.

Only flags representing participating countries and rainbow-colored flags are allowed.

An official told MailOnline: ‘We take the safety of Eden and all other participants very seriously, but that is clear; the focus is on her. This is one of the largest security operations ever carried out in Malmö.

An official told MailOnline: ‘We take the safety of Eden and all other participants very seriously, but that is clear; the focus is on her’

“This is one of the largest security operations ever carried out in Malmö,” the official added

Roadblocks have been set up around Malmö’s arena

“The whole world will be watching, and we don’t want this high-profile event to be hijacked by those trying to make a point about Israel’s war against Hamas. This has nothing to do with this competition.’

Thursday’s pro-Palestinian demonstration was attended by climate activist Greta Thunberg, who insisted: “Young people are leading the way and showing the world how to respond to this.”

During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colors of the Palestinian flag were set off and demonstrators, some of whom carried dogs, young children and bicycles, carried signs with images of Gaza civilians injured during the Hamas-Israel conflict. .

Other banners read, among other things, “welcome to the genocide song contest” and “stop using the Eurovision Song Contest to whitewash Israeli crimes.”

Later that evening, a crowd of around 300 people tried to storm the Eurovision Village set up in Malmö’s Folkets Park for a series of events and where the final will be broadcast on big screens.

Swedish police announced that they have made eight arrests, including one for possession of a knife.

During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colors of the Palestinian flag and demonstrators were set off

Later that evening, a crowd of around 300 people attempted to storm the Eurovision Village set up in Malmö’s Folkets Park.

Despite the political controversy surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest, thousands of fans have poured into Malmö for the competition, insisting this has not stopped them from enjoying the occasion.

‘We are not worried about the protests because we are from Liverpool and have seen much worse. “For us, it’s all about the music,” one woman said

Despite the political controversy surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest, thousands of fans have poured into Malmö for the competition, insisting this has not stopped them from enjoying the occasion.

Members of Liverpool’s Over the Water Choir were in the city to perform a series of Eurovision hits for fans in public venues.

Heather Tomlinson told MailOnline: ‘We are not worried about the protests because we are from Liverpool and have seen much worse. For us it’s all about the music.

‘This wonderful competition brings together people from all kinds of backgrounds. I support the right to protest, but my heart goes out to Eden. She’s getting ready to perform on what will be the biggest night of her life and it must be hard for her to concentrate because of what’s going on.”

Fellow choir member Yvonne Sharples said: ‘We are here to represent Liverpool and England. I don’t think we should let what’s happening in the world get in the way of a fantastic musical event. It should unite us, not divide us.’

Therese Ryan, from Milton Keynes, said: ‘It’s really important to keep politics out of events here. People just want to have a good time and many of us have opinions about the situation in Israel, but this is not the place to discuss them.”