Eurovision sign in Swedish host city of Malmo vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti

Unknown culprits vandalized a large Eurovision sign in the Swedish city of Malmo to protest Israel’s participation in the upcoming song contest being held there.

The digital billboard was doused in red paint early Monday, in an apparent condemnation of the Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war, which was sparked by the Gaza-ruling terror group’s devastating attack on October 7.

A particularly large blotch of paint was splashed on part of the sign reading “United by music,” which is Eurovision’s slogan.

At the base of the sign, “Free Gaza” was written in red spray paint.

According to the Swedish national broadcaster, the vandalism was not initially reported to police, who opened an investigation the following morning.

For months, Israel has faced a boycott campaign aiming to have it ousted from the singing competition, but the European Broadcasting Union has repeatedly dismissed such efforts, saying the Kan public broadcaster meets all the criteria to participate, and that the competition is among public broadcasters, not governments, and is non-political in nature.

Multiple nations said they would consider quitting the competition in protest if Israel were allowed to compete, but so far no countries have pulled out of the contest on those grounds.

On Sunday, Israel unveiled its song for this year’s competition, titled “Hurricane,” after the original submission was disqualified by organizers over charges it was too political. Israel’s Eden Golan will compete in the second semi-final in Malmo on May 9, after the EBU acceded to Kan’s request to avoid holding a dress rehearsal on Yom Hashoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, earlier in the week.

According to the often predictive betting odds charts, Israel is currently ranked 8th out of 37 participating nations, likely seeing a boost from some corners of Europe due to its ongoing war against Hamas. With two months to go, the current favorite is Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, with his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.”

Amy Spiro contributed to this report.