The Eurovision Song Contest is a music event and not a competition between governments, the Deputy Director-General of the European Broadcast Union (EBU) has said, amid protests over Israel's inclusion in the event.
Smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag have been set off in Malmö's central square during a demonstration in Sweden against Israel's participation in tonight's second semi-final.
A heavy police presence arrived at Malmö's main square earlier ahead of the protests.
However, the Deputy Director-General of the EBU, which organises Eurovision, Jean Philip De Tender said the Eurovision is a music event and Israel had met all the requirements needed to participate.
"The Eurovision Song Contest however is a music event which is being organised and co-produced by 37 public service broadcasters – it's not a competition between governments.
"And as a member-led organisation, it's the governing bodies who decide upon participation.
"All of that is based on competition rules, and earlier this year it was decided that Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster met all the requirements to participate in this music event."
Mr De Tender said that he understood the pressure put on performing artists to answer questions on Israel's participation.
"I fully understand it has been very stressful for the artists, especially what has been happening on social media. Again, we have said that the decision to let Israel participate is not a decision taken by the artists, it is a decision taken by the European Broadcasting Union and not by any individuals as such."
He added that security for artists, staff and visitors is of the "utmost importance" and that the EBU was confident they had created a "very safe environment".
20-year-old Eden Golan will represent Israel in tonight's semi-final with her song 'Hurricane'.
The entry was reworked from a previous track called 'October Rain', which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel.
She was booed by some audience members and met with calls of "free Palestine" after she performed her song at a dress rehearsal.
Mr De Tender said booing in the arena "happens of course", but called on the audience to "appreciate the songs".
"We hope that all of the people in the arena, and the people at home, when they watch the performance will judge the performance as such, in an artistic way, what are the lyrics and what are the performances as such, and that they give a vote according to their own musical preferences," he said.
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