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Sweden Today

Swedish news in English

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Swedish Politician Protests Israel's Eurovision Entry

Published: 2024-02-17

In a significant turnout on the streets of central Stockholm, a large-scale demonstration was held under the banner of 'Together for Palestine', protesting against Israel's participation in the Eurovision song contest and calling for its exclusion.

At the heart of the demonstration, which saw participation ranging from a thousand to nearly two thousand individuals, was Jamal El-Haj, a former Social Democrat who recently became a political independent after leaving the party.

El-Haj, addressing the crowd, condemned what he described as war crimes committed by Israel and criticized Sweden's silence on the issue.

His speech emphasized the plight of Palestinians, highlighting forced displacements, imprisonments, and deaths.

El-Haj's participation in the demonstration follows his controversial departure from the Social Democrats, spurred by his involvement in activities linked to Hamas, which the party had advised against.

Despite the backlash and demands for his resignation, El-Haj has chosen to retain his seat in the parliament, declaring his commitment to the Swedish electorate and democracy.

His stance has ignited a debate within Swedish political circles and among the public, reflecting the broader complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and its resonance in international forums like the Eurovision song contest.