Thousands of people opposed to Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest demonstrated on Thursday ahead of this year's second semi-final.

More than 10,000 people, among them climate activist Greta Thunberg, gathered to take part in the rally, according to police estimates, reports DW.

Barricades around Malmo Arena

Metal barricades and large concrete blocks were put up around the Malmo Arena in the Swedish city hosting the competition, and local police received back up from Danish and Norwegian colleagues.

Though police said the march through the city was "quiet," demonstrators set off smoke flares in the colors of the Palestinian flag during a noisy rally where participants chanted the contentious slogan, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" as well as "Israel is a terrorist state" calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque