FOOTAGE on social media posted by those attending the Eurovision Song Contest’s Jury Show showed the crowd booing Israel’s act.

Videos posted on Twitter/X depicted the crowd booing and chanting “free Palestine” throughout Eden Golan’s performance for Israel.

It comes the day after Ireland’s act, Bambie Thug, said they were forced to remove pro-Palestine writing, while Swedish performer Eric Saade was also criticised by organisers for showing his support for Palestine by wearing a Keffiyeh.

On Wednesday night, 16 countries taking part in the semi-final of the competition took to the stage to perform their songs to an arena of fans.

There have been calls for people to boycott the contest amid criticism of Israel’s entry following the bombardment of Gaza.

Around 35,000 people in Palestine have been killed in the attacks and a further 77,000 injured.

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A fan from Ireland defended booing the singer during the song. Rory Flynn, 27, from Kildare, told the PA news agency he is from the Eurovision Irish fan club and has started a "separate movement" to protest against Israel, adding the country's entry in Sweden is "overshadowing the competition".

He said: “We feel that it’s important to make our voices heard in the competition in the arena. Others are doing a full boycott – and full respect to people who are doing a full boycott – but we think it’s important that our voices are heard in the arena and around Malmo.”

Flynn also said his group booed during Golan’s dress rehearsals this week, adding: “This song is a propaganda song. OK, it was originally called October Rain and now it’s called Hurricane, you can see there, it’s the same melody; the lyrics have been changed at the request of the EBU, but it is the same song.

"And it is about justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and I think that says it all really, you know, I think it’s quite appropriate to kind of boo that propaganda.”

Discussing the atmosphere in Malmo, one Twitter/X user commented: “The atmosphere inside the arena was horrible.

“You could feel the tension. Shouts of ‘free Palestine’ in the quiet parts. Booing audible in places. People arguing in the standing section.”

Another user claimed security told them to be quiet or they could be thrown out for “booing and screaming free Palestine”.

According to the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) website: “The EBU is a firm advocate for freedom of speech and the right for people to express their deeply held views and opinions.

“We understand that people may wish to make their voices heard and support the right of those who wish to demonstrate peacefully.”