![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TJS77ZGA37J5FGXGTVCKTDFOTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b41468ece9a361ab1439458a4839d9f371fdc49ae0338bd694b5f86a7445afd&width=400&height=225)
Silia Kapsis, representing Cyprus, during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3CV2GI5KZ6XFRATOPWDPAWRQXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=42b5a959506b23c9088a0537a79df17c40638aca4b586c9f9af4af2b49465b26&width=400&height=225)
Eden Golan, representing Israel, on-screen during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7HEUDZNACAH7VBB254BS3S3WFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bb065407bb4b25c73405b6aee6b06c310d1aa63ffd73a13590abf85d4b479bb&width=400&height=225)
Irish contestant Bambie Thug performs the song 'Doomsday Blue' during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HH3MIEEVRN4R5A7OXNUN2GQJ7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=7cf31e7019d5f2aa458ee3ab7110d19daa6bd169a542640418a276cb5ae1d4f7&width=400&height=225)
Iolanda, representing Portugal, with the song 'Grito' during the first semi-final of the song contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIQDCCZ4WG2VB5NCZ2PMHAJFGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9bd380e9c82d1a59c50a4126d7ea602400c273d6051b21cb36593f936aa7597&width=400&height=225)
Baby Lasagna, representing Croatia, with the song 'Rim tim tagi dim' during the first semi-final. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BWCE3OYI5Y3VVWC3ID72DMPMJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e62013c3379de6d930fef3e15f1d67ad812cdba1462df8fd69ce6fd694202606&width=400&height=225)
Left to right, Jerry Hall and Alyona Alyona, representing Ukraine at the song contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZWNTOYUBB2HHAGWL2HNKV2Z3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f4f516988f34a5dda386637028e0d66fe3acb00a198f836e9fa69251c846888&width=400&height=225)
Olly Alexander, representing Britain, performs his song 'Dizzy' during the first semi-final. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTYTL3JG5XJGSZAM7QQSRL2GNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d23975d7e5993716f4afcf9c7e17fc13e071735ba45d01b0275ad4aed31449be&width=400&height=225)
Benjamin Ingrosso, who represented Sweden in 2018, entertains in the middle act during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QBWNO3MPNFJ4G23HQ4TQGA2HRI.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e5f86e0c9707cc1550e9db28d160240a9df58716e231397da423da44f42c722&width=400&height=225)
Electric Fields, representing Australia, with the song 'One milkali (One blood)' during the first semi-final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QYFXQKZCXRQQHZW73VKOSXPN4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c559e8f7c3365a12ab02c1f051bae0f033800a15ff4064207071c72785a478e7&width=400&height=225)
Eric Saade performs the song Popular wearing a keffiyeh wrapped around his wrist during the opening of the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OJHYRKFMOH53UTJNE6JXGCW6HI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e7bc6806600a59243ce32f5c43fe9549c2e3c26fdac2f74cdd643c040c5ac5b&width=400&height=225)
Iolanda of Portugal celebrates qualifying for the Eurovision grand final. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RO7YAMZRWV64YHBB4D3ANNWG44.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8e924ea90603e1abe0b76085949efe80b21be841c4c6912e2c92e46ec134697&width=400&height=225)
Fahree featuring Ilkin Dovlatov, representing Azerbaijan, takes to the stage at the Malmo Arena. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CNDDLPYO66YNYR5XEJLA2BUZPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=31a023c761c6e76db3f1593b16e81758e7c3ed27bc8aa6fb5d33f93973ad79f7&width=400&height=225)
Luxembourgish singer Tali performs her song, 'Fighter', during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNIHVRLO5O32NVWC4IVP7HPC3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdc73e1c29574e2b2d84afc051fd4cfd8fe5dbc9465c10839c972e4dea217ec8&width=400&height=225)
Australian singer Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding, members of the band Electric Fields representing Australia, during the first semi-final at the Malmo Arena. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PI3YPPLGPHPTAQCDXGBZGQPPUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=64eeeb4db36bc32c28faf400ed92cfc33c0ba13724e4e2cdb625597546b9d927&width=400&height=225)
Finnish visual artist and DJ Teemu Keisteri, also known as Windows95man, is representing Finland with the song 'No rules!'. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FRC7L4JUGSYBGGLHUWTILWS42Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=045a3f9fc065dd0476049dbbb9794500ba5b16f8326de7fc6b86018ce1344732&width=400&height=225)
Natalia Barbu, representing Moldova, performs her song 'In the Middle' during the first semi-final. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H5AEYBNBHLOTMXLCQTRNGJ4SKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=75b253d26a19a7935f30078f80d5566e73f291e097896c9c2521ac6b6bf75d3a&width=400&height=225)
Slovenian singer Raiven performs her song 'Veronika' during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VM2V76LX5U5SAADPLJGCCDIFZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f02496bbd38e1a4170de1e34df458fb64d98d1ace5c50326d076d2b36c9b4237&width=400&height=225)
Polish entry Luna performs the song 'The Tower' during the first semi-final. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TJS77ZGA37J5FGXGTVCKTDFOTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b41468ece9a361ab1439458a4839d9f371fdc49ae0338bd694b5f86a7445afd&width=400&height=225)
Silia Kapsis, representing Cyprus, during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3CV2GI5KZ6XFRATOPWDPAWRQXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=42b5a959506b23c9088a0537a79df17c40638aca4b586c9f9af4af2b49465b26&width=400&height=225)
Eden Golan, representing Israel, on-screen during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7HEUDZNACAH7VBB254BS3S3WFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bb065407bb4b25c73405b6aee6b06c310d1aa63ffd73a13590abf85d4b479bb&width=400&height=225)
Irish contestant Bambie Thug performs the song 'Doomsday Blue' during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HH3MIEEVRN4R5A7OXNUN2GQJ7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=7cf31e7019d5f2aa458ee3ab7110d19daa6bd169a542640418a276cb5ae1d4f7&width=400&height=225)
Iolanda, representing Portugal, with the song 'Grito' during the first semi-final of the song contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIQDCCZ4WG2VB5NCZ2PMHAJFGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9bd380e9c82d1a59c50a4126d7ea602400c273d6051b21cb36593f936aa7597&width=400&height=225)
Baby Lasagna, representing Croatia, with the song 'Rim tim tagi dim' during the first semi-final. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BWCE3OYI5Y3VVWC3ID72DMPMJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e62013c3379de6d930fef3e15f1d67ad812cdba1462df8fd69ce6fd694202606&width=400&height=225)
Left to right, Jerry Hall and Alyona Alyona, representing Ukraine at the song contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZWNTOYUBB2HHAGWL2HNKV2Z3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f4f516988f34a5dda386637028e0d66fe3acb00a198f836e9fa69251c846888&width=400&height=225)
Olly Alexander, representing Britain, performs his song 'Dizzy' during the first semi-final. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WTYTL3JG5XJGSZAM7QQSRL2GNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d23975d7e5993716f4afcf9c7e17fc13e071735ba45d01b0275ad4aed31449be&width=400&height=225)
Benjamin Ingrosso, who represented Sweden in 2018, entertains in the middle act during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QBWNO3MPNFJ4G23HQ4TQGA2HRI.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e5f86e0c9707cc1550e9db28d160240a9df58716e231397da423da44f42c722&width=400&height=225)
Electric Fields, representing Australia, with the song 'One milkali (One blood)' during the first semi-final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QYFXQKZCXRQQHZW73VKOSXPN4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c559e8f7c3365a12ab02c1f051bae0f033800a15ff4064207071c72785a478e7&width=400&height=225)
Eric Saade performs the song Popular wearing a keffiyeh wrapped around his wrist during the opening of the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OJHYRKFMOH53UTJNE6JXGCW6HI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8e7bc6806600a59243ce32f5c43fe9549c2e3c26fdac2f74cdd643c040c5ac5b&width=400&height=225)
Iolanda of Portugal celebrates qualifying for the Eurovision grand final. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RO7YAMZRWV64YHBB4D3ANNWG44.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8e924ea90603e1abe0b76085949efe80b21be841c4c6912e2c92e46ec134697&width=400&height=225)
Fahree featuring Ilkin Dovlatov, representing Azerbaijan, takes to the stage at the Malmo Arena. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CNDDLPYO66YNYR5XEJLA2BUZPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=31a023c761c6e76db3f1593b16e81758e7c3ed27bc8aa6fb5d33f93973ad79f7&width=400&height=225)
Luxembourgish singer Tali performs her song, 'Fighter', during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DNIHVRLO5O32NVWC4IVP7HPC3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdc73e1c29574e2b2d84afc051fd4cfd8fe5dbc9465c10839c972e4dea217ec8&width=400&height=225)
Australian singer Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding, members of the band Electric Fields representing Australia, during the first semi-final at the Malmo Arena. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PI3YPPLGPHPTAQCDXGBZGQPPUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=64eeeb4db36bc32c28faf400ed92cfc33c0ba13724e4e2cdb625597546b9d927&width=400&height=225)
Finnish visual artist and DJ Teemu Keisteri, also known as Windows95man, is representing Finland with the song 'No rules!'. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FRC7L4JUGSYBGGLHUWTILWS42Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=045a3f9fc065dd0476049dbbb9794500ba5b16f8326de7fc6b86018ce1344732&width=400&height=225)
Natalia Barbu, representing Moldova, performs her song 'In the Middle' during the first semi-final. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H5AEYBNBHLOTMXLCQTRNGJ4SKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=75b253d26a19a7935f30078f80d5566e73f291e097896c9c2521ac6b6bf75d3a&width=400&height=225)
Slovenian singer Raiven performs her song 'Veronika' during the first semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VM2V76LX5U5SAADPLJGCCDIFZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f02496bbd38e1a4170de1e34df458fb64d98d1ace5c50326d076d2b36c9b4237&width=400&height=225)
Polish entry Luna performs the song 'The Tower' during the first semi-final. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TJS77ZGA37J5FGXGTVCKTDFOTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b41468ece9a361ab1439458a4839d9f371fdc49ae0338bd694b5f86a7445afd&width=400&height=225)
Silia Kapsis, representing Cyprus, during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Reuters
Eurovision 2024: Pro-Palestinian protests planned in Malmo amid arrival of Israeli singer
Tensions grow in Sweden ahead of song contest amid backlash over Israel being allowed to participate
![Nicky Harley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F618f8b41-4b99-4438-9375-d6a222197c53.png?smart=true&auth=e5283bde6211eea61cdc866ff0705a93c610713172409111091e3cb6f5a56ed6&width=70&height=70)
Nicky Harley
08 May, 2024
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