Gina Dirawi has received criticism for hosting next year's Melodifestival.
The choice to accept despite being of Palestinian origin has been questioned by many, she writes in a post on Facebook. This is because Israel is allowed to compete in Eurovision, despite the country's warfare in Gaza.
"I'll be clear: I have not accepted Eurovision. I have accepted hosting the Swedish Melodifestivalen. I understand the criticism," she writes.
Gina Dirawi believes that her participation means representation for Palestinians who otherwise risk being made invisible.
"At the same time, representation is not the whole solution. My participation does not absolve either SVT or EBU from responsibility," she writes.
Gina Dirawi was born and raised in Sundsvall, with Palestinian parents from Lebanon.
