Israel has been forced to make changes to its entry song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Originally performed by Eden Golan, the song titled “October Rain” faced backlash due to its references to the Hamas attack on October 7. In order to avoid disqualification, Israel’s broadcaster Kan reached out to the songwriters to revise the lyrics. The new version of the song, now called “Hurricane,” will be performed by Golan in the second semi-finals. Bookies are predicting her qualification for the grand finals.
The lyrics of “October Rain” included lines such as “There’s no air left to breathe / No place, no me from day to day.” The song, mostly in English, concluded with three lines in Hebrew that referenced the Hamas conflict, stating, “They were all good children each one of them.”
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Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has sparked controversy and backlash due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Some individuals have even chosen to boycott the annual event. Protests have taken place in Sweden, with small gatherings occurring in Malmo and at the Eurovision village during a performance by Austrian 2014 winner Conchita Wurst. In anticipation of a pro-Palestinian march, heavy police presence was witnessed in Malmo’s main square. The authorities expected the demonstration to cause disruptions to traffic.
Eden, who was born in Israel and raised in Russia, was chosen to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest after winning a TV talent show. She performed Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” during her audition. It is worth noting that last year’s Israeli entry, Noa Kirel, finished in third place in the 2023 Song Contest.
The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision has led to discussions about the nature of the competition. The Eurovision Song Contest organizers have clarified that it is a competition for broadcasters, not governments. They have emphasized that the Israeli public broadcaster Kan has participated in the contest for 50 years and meets all the competition rules. They acknowledge the concerns and deeply held views related to the current conflict in the Middle East. They express their understanding of the suffering experienced by those affected by the war and highlight that many of the images from Israel and Gaza are provided through the EBU News Exchange, which is operated in collaboration with their members.
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POLICE PRESENCE AT MALMO DEMONSTRATIONS
A police presence was seen in Malmo due to ongoing demonstrations. The city has been a hub of activity as people voice their opinions on various issues. However, amidst all the chaos, it is important to remember that the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event. It is a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. This is not a contest between governments.
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING ISRAEL’S PARTICIPATION
There have been calls to exclude Israel from this year’s competition, drawing comparisons to the exclusion of the Russian broadcaster in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. However, making comparisons between wars and conflicts is a complex matter. As a non-political media organization, it is not our place to make such judgments. In the case of Russia, their broadcasters were suspended from the EBU due to breaches of membership obligations and violation of public service values.
DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KAN AND ISRAELI GOVERNMENT
It is important to note that the relationship between Kan and the Israeli Government is fundamentally different from that of the Russian Members and the State. The Israeli Government has even threatened to close down the broadcaster in recent years. The EBU, along with other international organizations, maintains an inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions. This aligns with the approach taken by sports unions and federations, as well as other international bodies.
NON-POLITICAL UNITY THROUGH MUSIC
The EBU remains committed to ensuring that the Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event. It is a platform that unites audiences worldwide through the power of music. Despite the controversies and differing opinions, the focus should always be on celebrating the talent and creativity of the participants. Let the music bring people together and transcend political boundaries.
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