During the first final of MGP on Saturday evening, the Action Group for Palestine demonstrated outside the public entrance at Marienlyst.
– Our demand is that Norway and NRK work for the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024. During the event, we will show how massive 116 dead journalists are, they write in a press release.
The demonstrators demand that Israel be banned from Eurovision 2024.
Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / NRK
They also write that they want to remind NRK of its responsibility as a public broadcaster, to stand in solidarity with press freedom and the special right journalists have to protection during war.
The demonstrators lay on the ground, wearing blue vests with blood on them to symbolize journalists who have been killed in the war.
Janne Heltberg demands that Norway and NRK work to ban Israel from the popular song contest.
Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / NRK
Press contact Janne Heltberg says that out of respect for those killed, they want this to be a quiet operation.
At the same time, she says that they will consider raising the vote if nothing happens.
– As long as Israel is involved, we believe it is politics. Then we are forced to use our vote, she says.
The demonstrators outside NRK’s audience entrance.
Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / NRK
82 journalists confirmed killed
As of 10 January, the authorities in Gaza report that 116 journalists have been killed since 7 October.
There should therefore also have been 116 protesters outside NRK tonight.
According to the independent organization Committee to protect journalists As of 13 January, 82 journalists and staff have been confirmed killed.
Of the journalists killed, 75 are Palestinians, four Israelis and three Lebanese.
Demand that Israel be banned from Eurovision.
Entertainment editor Charlo Halvorsen at NRK writes in a text message to NTB that he understands that the situation in Gaza is shaking many people and provoking reactions.
– If someone wishes to demonstrate outside NRK, it is only part of our freedom of expression, writes Halvorsen.
Halvorsen says to NRK that they always think about safety when they have large live broadcasts.
– So we have a little more now when there is a tense situation around us.
The demonstrators are wearing blue press vests.
The demonstrators have brought sleeping mats and warm clothes.
According to the Action Group for Palestine, 116 demonstrators will be present.
The action group clarified that out of respect for those killed, they wanted this to be a silent action.
Artist Bjørn Alexander Brem alias “Gothminister” says that what is happening in the Gaza Strip is terrible and that they as artists now have a lot of pressure on them.
He says he was shocked when it became known that Israel will be allowed to participate in the competition.
– We are forced to realize that we cannot accept that Eurovision will be a place for nations that use coercive military power to kill innocent civilians, women and children, he says.
Negatives to participation
Although tonight is the first semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix, there has been a debate about the music competition ever since 5 December.
Then it became known that Israel will be allowed to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö together with 36 other countries.
These are the participating countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Photo: Screenshot taken 13.12.23
Due to Israel’s warfare in Gaza, several people react to Israel being allowed to participate in the competition.
When it became known who was going to participate in the Norwegian MGP, a bunch of protesters turned up outside NRK in Oslo.
Several appeals have also been started, for example in Finland and on Island.
In Norway, social debater, nurse and artist Marthe Valle has set up a signature campaign which, as of today, has 15,000 signatures.
According to one VG measurement 47 percent are positive about boycotting Israel.
EBU: “Non-political-event”
NRK has previously been in contact with the EBU.
Then they wrote that they had agreed “that the Israeli broadcaster meets all the competition rules and can participate in the competition next year”.
At the same time, they clarified that the competition is “a non-political event”.
On Thursday this week, Israel and Eurovision were the topic of the Debate. Several politicians were asked whether they supported a political and economic boycott of Israel.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide then replied no.
– The situation in the Middle East is serious, but the answer is not a boycott, he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Debate Thursday.
Photo: Lars Os
2024-01-13 18:48:40
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