2 May 2024
The National Security Council of Israel recommends that Israelis due to arrive in the city reconsider the necessity of the trip. The travel warning is for the period of the Eurovision and is subject to an assessment of the situation.
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the Swedish city of Malmö on 7-11 May.
Malmö (which has a high concentration of Syrian, Lebanese, Iraqi and Iranian migrants) is known as a focus for anti-Israel protests, which occur on a weekly basis and frequently include incitement, calls to attack Jews and Israelis and the burning of Israeli flags. It should be noted that on October 7, anti-Israel elements were openly joyful over the massacre that Hamas perpetrated in Israel.
In addition to the protests in Malmö, in recent months there has been an upsurge in calls by global jihadist and radical Islamic elements to carry out attacks against Western targets, including focused threats against Israelis and Jews around the world, while emphasizing targets with a high media profile. It should be noted on 19 March, the arrest of ISIS operatives who were planning to carry out an attack on the Swedish parliament.
These 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. While the Swedish authorities have increased security in Malmö, it should be noted that unlike the Israeli delegation to the contest, Israeli visitors will not receive special security.
In light of the foregoing, the National Security Council (NSC) is upgrading the travel warning for Malmö (but not the travel warning for Sweden as a whole) from Level 2 (potential threat) to Level 3 (moderate threat) and recommends that Israelis due to arrive in the city reconsider the necessity of the trip. The travel warning is for the period of the Eurovision and is subject to an assessment of the situation.
Visitors to Malmö are requested to download the IDF Home Front Command app in order to receive NSC updates quickly and in real-time in the event of an incident in Malmö during the Eurovision.
Source – Government of Israel