Rishi Sunak has condemned protests against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision song contest as “outrageous”.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Malmo, Sweden, on Thursday to demonstrate against Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest as the war in Gaza continues.

There have been calls from campaigners worldwide, including within the UK, for fans to boycott the annual competition this year, as Israeli entrant Eden Golan reaches the final.

But Rishi Sunak has condemned the protests against Israel’s participation as “wrong” and the boycott calls as “unfair”.

His spokesman said: “Just as we share the deep concern over the humanitarian crisis of Gaza, and we raise this regularly, when it comes to this debate around Eurovision and these protests we are incredibly mindful of the Israelis and also Jewish people around the world who love Eurovision and their feelings seeing this in the aftermath of what was atrocious terror attack and while hostages are still being held by Hamas.

“He would urge people to consider this when repeating these unfair calls for a boycott,” she added.

The spokesman added that there was “always the right for peaceful protest” and that it was “part of democracy here and around the world”

“But in terms of the Prime Minister’s opinion at the scenes and whether it is right to call for a boycott of their act. No, he thinks that’s wrong.”

Olly Alexander, Britain’s entrant in the competition, has faced pressure for taking part alongside Israel.

Along with other contestants, Alexander signed a joint statement saying that they supported a ceasefire but would remain in the competition “to come together and call for peace”.

He told the BBC during a documentary about his progress in Eurovision: “A lot of the contestants and myself have been having a lot of comments that are like ‘You are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision’ which is quite extreme.”

He added: “I understand where that sentiment is coming from but I think it’s not correct.

“It’s an incredibly complicated political situation, one that I’m not qualified to speak on.”

Käärijä, a former Eurovision competitor for Finland, insisted he did not “endorse” Israel’s involvement in this year’s competition after a video emerged of him dancing with Eden Golan.

The singer was filmed performing a friendly routine with Golan ahead of her first live performance on Thursday.

The nine-second video shows the pair performing the Finnish artist’s “Cha Cha Cha” dance routine from last year’s contest before laughing and high-fiving in front of the camera.

Following an apparent backlash, he said: “I would like to clarify and emphasise that the video is not a political statement or an endorsement of any kind.”

Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet agency, has flown to Sweden to personally supervise the security arrangements for Golan and the rest of the Israeli delegation. 

Her presence has been subject to strong criticism from pro-Palestine protesters and those opposed to the conflict following the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest will air on BBC1 at 8pm  on Saturday.