Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Israeli contestant Eden Golan got booed during her performance at the dress rehearsal for the semi-final of the Eurovision Song contest, but says she will not be deterred.
Before Golan’s participation, controversy around Israel’s participation had already been sparked. This is because of the current crisis in Gaza and Israel’s involvement in the over 33,000 Palestinian lives lost. Campaigns were launched to block the country from participating in the contest.
Israel made it’s debut at Eurovision in 1973 after it became part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who organises the event. A spokesperson of them said:
“The Eurovision song contest is a music event which is organised and co-produced by 37 public broadcasters. It’s not a competition between nations or governments.”
Golan is representing Israel with the song ‘Hurricane’ which was edited from the original track ‘October Rain’ after breaching EBU’s rules. It allegedly included references to the October 7th attacks by Hamas.
UK entrant, Olly Alexander, has said he does not support a boycott of Eurovision. Together with some other participants they have released a statement saying they call for “an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages”. They’ve also said they “stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia”.
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HeadlineIsrael’s participation in this year’s Eurovision song festival has led to campaigns aiming to boycott the contest
Short HeadlineIsrael's participation in Eurovision causes controversy
StandfirstIsraeli contestant got booed as she performs her Eurovision song ‘Hurricane;’ but says protests ‘did not silence her’
Israeli contestant Eden Golan got booed during her performance at the dress rehearsal for the semi-final of the Eurovision Song contest, but says she will not be deterred.
Before Golan’s participation, controversy around Israel’s participation had already been sparked. This is because of the current crisis in Gaza and Israel’s involvement in the over 33,000 Palestinian lives lost. Campaigns were launched to block the country from participating in the contest.
Israel made it’s debut at Eurovision in 1973 after it became part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who organises the event. A spokesperson of them said:
“The Eurovision song contest is a music event which is organised and co-produced by 37 public broadcasters. It’s not a competition between nations or governments.”
Golan is representing Israel with the song ‘Hurricane’ which was edited from the original track ‘October Rain’ after breaching EBU’s rules. It allegedly included references to the October 7th attacks by Hamas.
UK entrant, Olly Alexander, has said he does not support a boycott of Eurovision. Together with some other participants they have released a statement saying they call for “an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages”. They’ve also said they “stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia”.
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