Pro-Palestinian group urges followers to hound UK pubs still showing Eurovision ... trends now

Venues across the country are cancelling Eurovision gigs after Palestine protest groups instructed their followers to hound pubs showing the contest - as some have been forced to close their doors as they fear for their staff's safety.

Bars face boycotts and pickets as they prepare for the singing competition, with pro-Palestine mobs striking out against the inclusion of Israel's Eden Golan as one of the favourites for Saturday's grand final.

Action group Brighton Queers for Palestine has posted the contact numbers for bars that are continuing with their nights as they tell their followers to 'call and ask them to reconsider screening Eurovision' as they accuse them of 'complicity in genocide'.

And some London venues have been forced to cancel their events as they fear for the safety of their staff amid the backlash - with others saying they had decided to close in solidarity with Palestine.

It comes as Rishi Sunak blasted Eurovision protests taking place in Sweden as 'wrong' and 'outrageous'.

The move has sparked fury among the Jewish community. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'It is shameful that venues may be succumbing to pressure from discriminatory groups to cancel Eurovision screenings because the contest features the Jewish state. 

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'These activists have no regard for the rights and freedoms that we cherish and will use any tactics to get their way, including intimidation. 

'This is thuggery, and the only response must be to stand up to it and refuse their outrageous demands.'

Two of London's biggest Eurovision events have now been cancelled, with four axed in Brighton as activists threaten protests.

LGBTQ entertainment venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern made the decision to close this week, telling fans this week that they 'will not be open for any event on Saturday night.'

Speaking to MailOnline, the cabaret club - which has hosted the likes of Lily Savage and Bucks Fizz - said they feared clashes over the controversial night and decided instead to 'stay clear'.

They said: 'The reason we've closed on Saturday night was because of the diversity of our programming we've got a young crowd and we've also got the older crowd, both have very different views in terms of what is happening with Free Palestine and also Eurovision, which is something for many years here.

'I've closed the venue on Saturday night for safety of our staff and for  no other reason.

'I don't want to offend any group and I don't understand fully the Palestine or Israel situation.

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'We're a small independent business and I think I've just made the right decision to stay clear.'

And the Rio picture house - a historic cinema founded by a Jewish businesswoman over a century ago - will not show Eurovision in protest at Israel's participation in the competition.

For years it has hosted Eurovision Party London, the most popular event to catch the finals in the capital, but in March told fans it had 'collectively decided' with the organisers not to screen it 'while Israel remains in the competition'. 

The East London cinema has since been probed by The Charity Commission, who admitted that their behaviour appears to be 'concerning' and that they had also 'received concerns from members of the public.'

In a statement posted on their website, the Rio Cinema said: 'Following discussion with the organisers of Eurovision Party London, we have collectively decided not to screen the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest this year while Israel remains in the competition.

'The Eurovision Party London has been a beloved partner of The Rio Cinema for many years, and we will continue to work with them in the future.

'We firmly believe that the Eurovision Song Contest has the power to bring people together across the world, and when its core values of inclusivity, equality and universality are upheld, it can be a genuine force for good. With its own slogan in mind, we hope that we can all be United By Music again.

'We will continue to organise fundraising events for the charities we support, including Doctors Without Borders and Medical Aid for Palestine.' 

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On the south coast, the group Brighton Queers for Palestine are boycotting venues screening Eurovision as they have pledged to picket seven venues across the town.

Accusing bars and theatres of 'complicity in genocide as they say they are 'pinkwashing' Israel, four places have already said they will cancel the events - including a Picture House and 31,000 seat football arena the Amex Stadium.

The protests hit as the song contest celebrates 50 years since Abba won with Waterloo - a moment that was hosted in Brighton.

Brighton Queers for Palestine have also posted the phone numbers of pubs who have not bowed to their picketing threats online - asking their followers to call them up and hound them to halt their nights.

They said: 'After the amazing news of Duke of York's cancelling their screening of Eurovision. Eurovision is still happening this Saturday with venues in B&H hosting the song contest. 

'The Brighton Queer community and community as a whole call on the remaining venues to

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