the essential
Several controversies surround Israel’s participation in Eurovision this year against the backdrop of the war with Hamas. The Israeli delegation had to try three times to get their song accepted. We’ll explain it to you.
It was in 1973 that Israel joined the list of countries participating in Eurovision. For the first time, a non-European country was accepted into the European song competition. The Jewish state has won Eurovision four times. The last time was in 1998 with transgender candidate Dana International.
This year, it is a young 20-year-old Israeli-Russian woman, named Eden Golan, who will sing to defend the Israeli colors. But his journey has not been easy. It was only after three attempts that his song “Hurricane” was accepted by the competition organizers.
The first two pieces presented to the organizers were refused. They were deemed to be contrary to the rules of the competition, which are intended to be apolitical. First song: “October rain”. Excerpt from the lyrics: “Dancing in the storm / We have nothing to hide / Take me home / And leave the world behind / And I promise you it will never happen again / I’m still wet from this rain of October”. The text appears to make a direct reference to the Hamas attack carried out on October 7, 2023. Faced with the refusal of the organizers, Israel threatens to withdraw from the competition. Israeli President Isaac Herzog intervenes in the debate, the lyricists get back to work.
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Is “Hurricane” really apolitical?
Second song presented: “Dancing forever”. New refusal from Eurovision organizers. A third song is proposed. “Hurricane” is finally accepted. The piece was this time deemed apolitical, but is it really? Excerpt from the lyrics: “Every day I lose my mind / I hold on in this mysterious ride / I dance in the storm, I have nothing to hide […] Baby, promise me you’ll hug me again / I’m still broken by this hurricane.” The song in English ends with these words in Hebrew: “We don’t need big speeches / Just prayers / Even though It’s hard to see / You always leave me with a little glow.”
A symbolic outfit
The first rehearsals for the song competition have begun in Malmö, Sweden for the event on Saturday May 11th. The Israeli candidate appeared in a cream-colored dress, made of strips of fabric reminiscent of bandages. A way to recall what the Hebrew State has gone through since October 2023, indicates the i24news news channel. In front of the press in Sweden this Wednesday, Eden Golan was asked about the war currently being waged by Israel: she did not wish to answer. She simply states: “Everyone who listens to it can relate to the song on their own level. Our people, our country relates to it on a very different, deeper emotional level, because of the tragedy that we we lived.”
A candidate surrounded by security services
For the ceremony, the Swedish authorities planned to mobilize large police forces. Israeli singer Eden Golan benefits from the protection of Israeli security services. She was ordered to only leave her hotel room if strictly necessary. Its director Yoav Tzafir wanted to react to rumors according to which the Israeli delegation had received a request not to wave Israeli flags during the ceremony on May 11. He strongly denies it. “It’s false, it’s fake news, it will be allowed to wave Israeli flags,” he told Israeli channel N12. With just over a week to go before the competition, Israel’s song comes in 7th position in Eurovision fans’ bets.
