Dozens of protesters locked arms and lay on the ground outside the venue draped in Palestine flags - and struggled with Swedish riot police who tried to remove them.
Pro- Palestine protesters clashed with police outside the Malmo Arena in Sweden as tensions reached boiling point ahead of the most chaotic Eurovision Song Contest in history.
The scenes in Malmo, witnessed by a Mail reporter, saw a large mob of protesters attempt to storm through barriers to get into the arena, leading to riot police rushing in and forming a cordon around the entrances. Swedish police gather around pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Malmo Arena ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest final
Greta Thunberg pictured during protests outside the Malmo Arena tonight. She would not speak to our reporter Other protestors waved Palestinian flags at ticket holders as they waited to enter the arena screaming 'Free, free Palestine'. Some of those joining the protests were seen being carted away from the scene by police - with several people wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves. MailOnline has contacted the Swedish Police Authority for comment.
Posting on his Instagram story, Kaarija, last year's runner-up of the competition, wrote: 'I have decided not to participate as the spokesperson for the Finnish jury in tonight's Eurovision finale. Giving out the points does not feel right.' They wrote in an Instagram story: 'I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU regarding instances I have experienced this week.
A statement from Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has since called the decision 'not proportional' as they said they were 'very disappointed and upset' by his exclusion. Eurovision bosses told MailOnline 'AVROTROS' version of events does not correspond with the statements shared with us and with police'.She said she raised 'multiple complaints' about a commentator from Israeli broadcaster KAN
Read More Dutch Eurovision act Joost Klein is AXED from contest: Rapper, 26, is quizzed by police over 'backstage incident involving female member of production crew' - as bosses erect ring of steel ahead of tonight's final Their spokesperson added: 'We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our events and our priority is to secure a safe working environment for all staff working on this year's Song Contest.
'This means I have missed my dress rehearsal - I am really sorry to the fans that have come to see me. I hope to see you on the stage tonight.' Bambie has been critical of Israel competing in the contest and has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds her dog as she protests against the participation of Israeli contestant Eden Golan
Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old rapper and singer from the Netherlands had qualified for the grand final on Thursday evening. In a statement said: 'An incident occurred after last Thursday's performance. Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the greenroom.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for a protest against the participation of Israeli contestant Eden Golan Read More Eurovision parties under threat: Pro-Palestinian group urges followers to hound pubs showcasing song contest over Israel's inclusion 'This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU and police. Yesterday and today we consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions.'Nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein. AVROTROS finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate.
But Netherlands fans will still be able to vote in the contest - despite their entrant being disqualified. A young child holds a sign stating 'Cease fire now!' at a protest against Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 'We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
France's entry Slimane has also brought drama to the Eurovision stage after he halted his own performance to say the contest should be: 'United by music, yes, but for love, for peace' to the rapturous cheers of the audience. Eden Golan waves an Israel flag as she performs the song Hurricane before the final dress rehearsal ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest final at the Malmo Arena
Armed police officers stand outside the hotel where the Dutch delegation is staying prior to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest Golan has become a lightning rod for criticism from protesters who have demanded she be excluded from the competition, while others have called for a boycott of the famous song contest and a ceasefire in the seven-month war in Gaza.
The officers accompanied her into the Malmö Arena, where tonight's final takes place and have also been with her in the hotel where she is staying with other members of Israel's Eurovision delegation. Singers have already been seen exiting the hotel, surrounded by officers and journalists as they head to the contest venue in the heart of the city where they will later perform in front of thousands of viewers across the globe.
Other banners displayed messages including 'welcome to Genocide song contest' and 'stop using Eurovision to whitewash Israeli crimes'. People take to the streets to protest against Israel's Eurovision Song Contest participation in Malmo, Sweden on Thursday Read More Eurovision's most controversial moments revealed - from vote rigging to political statements and lesbian kisses As a result of the protests, Israel's national security agency Shin Bet ordered Golan to stay in her hotel room ahead of her semi final performance, which saw her qualify for tonight's final.
One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'The atmosphere inside the arena was horrible. You could feel the tension. Shouts of 'free Palestine' in the quiet parts. Booing audible in places. People arguing in the standing section.' Eden Golan performing the song Hurricane during the second dress rehearsal on Wednesday ahead of the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest
Read More How Eden Golan went from a little girl with dreams of singing to one of the world's most controversial figures: Israeli Eurovision hopeful tells her story and how she has rehearsed being booed as she performs Satti can be seen with her head slumped on her hand, looking towards the crowd before closing her eyes and pretending to yawn.
'I won't let anything break me,' she told MailOnline in an interview this week. 'I wouldn't say I'm worried. I'm prepared.' It all makes for a messy climax to an event that draws both adoration and derision with its campy, kitschy ethos and passion for pop. The favorites include Swiss singer Nemo - who would be the first nonbinary Eurovision winner if their operatic song The Code tops the voting - and Croatia's Baby Lasagna.
But he is apparently feeling the pressure to nail his performance after the singer cancelled an interview last night so he could rehearse. Croatian singer Marko Purisic, aka Baby Lasagna, representing Croatia with his song 'Rim Tim Tagi Dim' at the first semi final
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