With the Eurovision Song Contest set to take place next month in Sweden, some fear that Islamic terrorists are planning to target the event due to 20-year-old Eden Golan representing Israel.
According to the Daily Mail, a reporter with Israeli TV channel Keshet 12 recently traveled to the host city of Malmo and was warned by guards at a local mosque to not go to the contest.
"Don't go there, don't go there. They will blow it up," one of the guards said.
In a statement, Eurovision Deputy Director General Jean Philip De Tender said, "The European Broadcasting Union acknowledges the depth of feeling and the strong opinions that this year's Eurovision Song Contest - set against the backdrop of a terrible war in the Middle East - has provoked."
"We understand that people will want to engage in debate and express their deeply held views on this matter. We have all been affected by the images, stories, and the unquestionable pain suffered by those in Israel and in Gaza," he added.
Turner said that the organization "firmly opposes any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest." He noted, "The EBU is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants, staff, and fans of the Eurovision Song Contest."
Golan initially caused controversy when she was forced to change the lyrics to the song she submitted. Eurovison demanded that she change the lyrics to the song titled "October Rain" because it discussed the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and violated the organization's commitment to be politically neutral.
The 20-year-old opened up and revealed to the Jerusalem Post that she had received death threats due to her participation. "I took into account that I would also receive such comments on Instagram," she said. "I feel confident and determined to represent Israel in the best possible way. Our delegation travels with a trained security team, and I am sure they will do their best job to protect us."
The City of Malmo has the third largest Muslim population in Sweden, with 50,000 residents who identify as such. Pro-Palestinian protesters have called for Eurovision to ban Israel from being represented in the event.
