Eurovision explained as the song contest is shadowed by the Israel-Hamas war

(9 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 08 May 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
"What is Eurovision? Well, the short answer and a longer answer. The short answer is very simple. Eurovision is a music competition in which countries from across Europe, and a few that aren't a part of Europe, come together, they each send an act, and those acts compete in front of a live and televised audience for votes to be crowned champions of Europe and to take home the famous trophy of a crystal microphone. The longer answer is that Eurovision is so much more than just a music competition. It's, it's a sort of music festival. It's a celebration of music's ability to bring people together. It's also a form of diplomacy with music, really, in which countries try to forge alliances with others. They try to promote themselves. They try to win friends and influence people. It sometimes seems like a cross between a music festival and the United Nations Security Council. It's also been called the Olympics of pop music."
2. Wide of arena where Eurovision is being held
3. Close of Eurovision banner
4. Security officers at arena
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
"What's happening in Malmo, Sweden, this week is that 37 countries, mostly from Europe but also farther afield, including Israel, Azerbaijan and Australia, have all sent musical acts here to Malmo in Sweden. Sweden is hosting this year because Sweden's act, Loreen, was the winner last year. They will all perform in semifinals, and the 37 will be whittled down to 26 acts that will compete on Saturday night at the Malmo Arena in the grand final. That will be in front of an audience of several thousand people in the auditorium, probably millions of people at parties and fan zones across Sweden and beyond, and an estimated 180 million people around the world."
6. Various of Eurovision fans
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
"This year, acts are being talked about and the bookmakers figure have a good chance include a Swiss singer called Nemo who has a great operatic song called "The Code". Nemo would be the first person who identifies as non-binary to win, so that would be quite a landmark for Eurovision."
8. Various of fans sitting in front of the stage at fan zone
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
"Another hot favourite is Baby Lasagna from Croatia, whose song "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" is kind of Eurovision encapsulated, really. It's a very, very catchy song. It's a little bit silly. It's a little bit sad. It has an incredibly elaborate staging. It's a lot of fun, and it's already a huge fan favourite here in Malmo."
10. Mid of security officers
11.SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
12. Wide of street
13. Focus shift from Palestinian flag to Eurovision sign
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, The Associated Press reporter:
"Pro-Palestinian organizations have been calling for Israel to be barred and also for a ceasefire in the war. And they will be protesting this week, there are two large demonstrations planned. They expect thousands of people to come not just from Sweden, but from Denmark and neighbouring countries to, I mean, I guess to say that Eurovision can't get away with ignoring politics as they see it."
15. Various of pro-Palestinian protesters UPSOUND (Swedish) "Boycott Israel, boycott Eurovision", banner reading (Swedish) "Be quiet when children are sleeping, not when they are murdered."
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[@Pure_Boxing]

I don't see why it allows countries not from Europe, like israel