Eurovision 2024: Discontent for Israel’s inclusion continues as pub cancels Eurovision party

Discontent towards Israel’s inclusion in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest continued overnight, with the announcement that a pub in Edinburgh will no longer be screening the grand final on May 11 2024.

The owners of the Dreadnought Pub in Leith have stated that they usually broadcast the annual competition every year, as they believe it brings people together and is a fun event. However, they have decided not to show the international song contest this year due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as they feel it would not have the same enjoyable and lighthearted atmosphere.

Writing on Facebook, a pub co-owner said: “A number of folk have contacted me and patiently explained why we shouldn’t be broadcasting Eurovision this year. I get it. We show Eurovision every year because it’s unifying, joyful and daft. It’s not going to have that vibe this year, so we’ll find something else to do instead.”

“Here’s hoping we’ll be able to enjoy it, collectively, next year.”

“People have the right to protest but Eurovision is about the music”

Rylan Clark, who is set to present this evening’s BBC One coverage of the second semi-final involving Israel, has commented about the ongoing protests taking place this year, after video footage emerged of the crowd in Malmo Stadium, the site of both the semi-finals and this weekend’s Grand Final, booing and hurling pro-Palestine comments at Eden Golda, this year’s entrant.

Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Clark said: “The climate in the world at the minute isn’t great and you know we’re not silly to not understand that there’s a lot going on in the world, but I think in the Eurovision bubble it’s a song contest, it’s all about the music and that’s what we’re here for.

“The city has done an amazing job, there’s a lot of demonstrations happening and people have got the right to do that and but it’s just about the music.”

Fellow semi-final co-host Scott Mills added, “It does feel a little different but it’s about the music and the joy that we have every single year at Eurovision.”

On Thursday, a pro-Palestinian march is expected to take place in Sweden, which according to the Swedish Police Authority, may disrupt traffic. There have been ongoing protests in Sweden regarding Israel's involvement in Eurovision. 

Small gatherings have occurred in Malmo and at the Eurovision village during the week of the event, including during a performance by Austrian 2014 winner Conchita Wurst.

What time is the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024 on TV?

The second semi-final, involving Eden Golda as Israel attempts to get into the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, takes place May 9 2024 at 8pm and will be screened on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.