Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest said they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags or symbols during the show next week in Sweden.

Pro-Palestinian groups are expected to organise large prostests in Malmo to raise awareness of their cause.

Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said ticket buyers are only allowed to display flags that represent countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-coloured flag.

Speaking to The Associated Press, she added that the EBU reserves the right “to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalising the TV shows.”

Martin Österdahl, the contest’s Executive Supervisor told the Swedish news agency TT that “these rules are the same as last year. There is no change.”

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the song contest over its military campaign in Gaza. In Ireland, over 400 artists have signed an open letter addressed to Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug, calling for them to withdraw from this year’s contest.

At the end of March, Bambie Thug released a joint statement with Eurovision contestants from the UK, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, San Marino, Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania and Finland saying that the artists were going ahead and participating in the 2024 contest:

“We firmly believe in the unifying power of music…” they wrote. “We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy."

Bambie Thug added their own additional statement saying that: "As an Irish person with a shared history of occupation and a queer individual, I cannot and will not remain silent."

Prominent Irish music industry commentator Mark Graham also penned a letter to RTÉ last month, urging them not to have their brand advertised during the Eurovision 2024 broadcast – in protest against "the normalising of genocide"

The Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Malmo, Sweden from May 7-11.