Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in the host city of Malmö to protest Israel's participation in the song contest amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Around 100,000 visitors were expected in the Swedish city for the annual event, which was marked by protests and boycott calls over the Israeli military operation in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7.

Heightened security measures were in place around Malmö Arena, with metal barricades, concrete blocks, and metal detectors for visitors whose bags were being checked.

Israeli contestant Eden Golan, 20, was set to perform her song "Hurricane" in the semi-final despite calls for Israel's exclusion. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, resisted boycott calls but asked Israel to modify the lyrics of its original song "October Rain" which appeared to reference the Hamas attack.

Israeli contestant Eden Golan, 20, was set to perform her song "Hurricane" in the semi-final despite calls for Israel's exclusion. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, resisted boycott calls but asked Israel to modify the lyrics of its original song "October Rain" which appeared to reference the Hamas attack.

Some protesters expressed their love for Eurovision but disapproval of music dividing people this year due to the situation.