Gina Dirawi, together with Hampus Nessvold, is the presenter of Melodifestivalen this year, which begins in Linköping on January 31st.
On Monday, Gina Dirawi wrote a Facebook post explaining why she had agreed to lead the Swedish competition while Israel, which is accused of war crimes in Gaza, is allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Gina Dirawi was born and raised in Sundsvall, with Palestinian parents from Lebanon.
“Responsibility to tell”
"I'll be clear: I have not accepted Eurovision. I have accepted hosting the Swedish Melodifestivalen. I understand the criticism," she wrote.
When the news came out that we would be leading Mello, we received many very positive comments. But then the criticism came and people had strong opinions. I felt I still had a responsibility to explain a bit about why I'm doing it, Dirawi told TT.
But how do you view the criticism against Israel being allowed to participate in Eurovision?
"So everything I wanted to say about it I've already said," she said.
SVT has been criticized for not wanting to take a political stance on the Israel issue. Isn't that in itself a political stance?
Everything I wanted to say, I've already said in my post.
When Gina Dirawi made her post on social media, she received criticism from Melodifestivalen project manager Anders Wistbacka for talking about politics as the host of the program.
"He's allowed to have his opinions; everyone has a right to that. But I've said what I want to say," she said.
"I think I'm used to it"
Now Gina Dirawi explains that as a freelancer for an upcoming SVT program, she is subject to strict regulations that mean she cannot comment further.
But how do you feel about everything becoming politics and everyone being expected to have opinions?
"I think I'm so used to it. I'm used to people feeling a lot of things. I know why I do things. I know I have good intentions. I want people to feel good. That's why I'm on this show. I want to spread light and I want to spread joy."
"Now we're here. We're going to make a Mello for everyone. We've put a huge amount of time and love into making sure people feel it. And I think that once we're on the air, people will see it."
