GENEVA (AP) 鈥 Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Thursday they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden.
The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel鈥檚 participation in the annual music competition over its military , now in its seventh month. Pro-Palestinian groups are expected to stage large protests in Malmo to raise awareness of their cause.
Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union that runs the show each year, said ticket holders are only allowed to bring and display flags representing countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-colored flag.
The Geneva-based EBU reserves the right 鈥渢o remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalizing the TV shows,鈥 she told The Associated Press in a text message.
Swedish news agency TT reported that the anyone who tries to bring a Palestinian flag or a sign with a political message will be stopped at the entrance by guards.
Martin 脰sterdahl, the contest's executive supervisor, told TT that 鈥渢hese rules are the same as last year. There is no change.鈥
香港六合彩挂牌资料 flags are a common sight during the contest as fans cheer on their country鈥檚 acts and those they support.
The glitzy gala, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers each year, is held this year from May 7-11 in Malmo in southern Sweden, following for its performance of 鈥淭attoo鈥 last year.
Winners earn the right for their country to host the following year's event: Sweden is set to host for a record-equalling 7th time.
Swedish police have warned that , citing a threat of terrorism in the wealthy Nordic country.
Pro-Palestinian activists who want Israel 鈥 a former winner 鈥 out of the Eurovision Song Contest have announced large rallies in downtown Malmo, several kilometers (miles) from the Malmo Arena contest venue.
Israel鈥檚 national security council on Thursday issued a warning urging people to reconsider travel to Malmo, saying it is 鈥渁 focus for anti-Israel protests鈥 that include calls to attack Israelis and the burning of Israeli flags.
鈥淭hese developments raise the tangible concern that terrorists will exploit the protest and the anti-Israel atmosphere to carry out an attack on Israelis who will arrive for the Eurovision,鈥 it said.
On Thursday, Swedish police said they granted permission to demonstrators planning to burn a copy of the Quran in Malmo before the contest. Such rallies are allowed in Sweden, and police need to cite specific grounds, such as risks to public safety, if they want to reject a permit for a demonstration or public gathering.
Last year, Sweden raised its terror threat level last year following a series of burnings of the Quran that triggered
In recent weeks, spillover reaction around the world to the nearly 7-month war between Israel and Hamas has fanned large protests on and beyond.
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Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark. Joe Federman contributed from Jerusalem
