Israeli Eurovision singer Eden Golan is now revealing that she had to wear a disguise of a blonde wig and glasses while competing in Malmö, Sweden, due to safety concerns arising from thousands of anti-Israel protesters led by Greta Thunberg, as well as death threats. Golan explained that she needed to conceal her identity after facing multiple threats, saying she “didn’t realize how scary and dangerous it really was.”

She expressed her sadness over the necessity to hide, as thousands marched through the streets against her because she is Jewish and Israeli. “It’s sad that we have returned to a time where a Jewish Israeli woman has to hide parts of her identity to avoid being harmed,” she said.

During her stay in Sweden, Golan required extensive police and security protection, including the Shin Bet, who advised her to remain in her hotel room when she wasn’t competing or rehearsing.

Her entry for the contest, “October Rain”, had to be changed to “Hurricane” because contest officials said any reference to Oct. 7th would be too controversial. Golan finished in fifth place overall, however she came in second place based on the public vote.