Eden Golanthe voice of Israel toEurovision 2024 has been contested. During the singer’s performance they stood up whistles and shouts. The words of some who repeated the slogan were clear: “Free Palestine“. There song passes in the finalbut not without public dissent inside and outside Malmo Arena, where thousands tried to bring the voice of the Palestinian people into the hours ofland invasion in Rafah. The Israeli Prime Minister spoke about antisemitismeven if there were no offenses against the singer because she was Jewish: the protest took place on the basis of the slogans for an end to the violence (also ongoing during the Golan show) in Gaza.
Boos at Eurovision for Eden Golan
Eden Golan qualifies for the ffinal of Eurovision 2024, but not without protests (even Greta Thunberg was in the square). The contrast between the show and the Rafah invasion did not go unnoticed and as the Israeli participant performed, several voices rose from the audience to remember her.
“Free Palestine” and boos accompanied the performance at the Arena Malmo. Meanwhile he who is recognized as the responsible of yet another military action on Gaza, that is, Prime Minister Netanyahu sent a video message to congratulate the young singer.
The Song of Discord: “Hurricane”
Eden Golan’s participation was immediately contested. To unleash the criticisms, which led the artist to change a part of the song, the lyrics itself. There are those who shouted at the censorshiplike pieces of Israeli politics, but the Eurovision rules are clear: no to political songs.
Yet “Hurricane” – previous title “October rain” – continues to talk about the massacre of October 7th. Israel’s participation in Eurovision is seen as politics and was challenged for it. In particular, a comparison was made with respect to the treatment undergone by Russia, excluded following the aggression against Ukraine and Israel. As the jurist and United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories points out, Francesca Albanese (attacked several times by Israel), on the very day of the Eurovision in which Eden Golan performed: “15 thousand children killed […] but how can you tolerate all this without feeling pity, horror, shame?”.
The finalists of Eurovision 2024
The first two days of Eurovision have decreed the participants in the final of the singing competition. The countries that will be represented areItalywith Angelina Mango (whose victory could lead to the realization of Malgioglio’s promise), Silia Kapsis of CyprusTeya Dora from Serbia and Silvester Belt for Lithuania. Bambie Thug again for Ireland, Al’ona Al’ona & Jerry Heil forUkraineBaby Lasagna for the Croatia and Raiven for the Slovenia. Also in the final Finland with Windows95Man, Iolanda for the PortugalSuch for the Luxembourg.
Marcus & Martinus again for the SwedenIsaak for the GermanyOlly Alexander for the United KingdomNemo for the SwissSlimane for the France and Kaleen forAustria. Also in the final was Marina Satti for the GreeceLadaniva for theArmeniaDons for the Latvia and obviously Nebula to represent the Spain. Nutsa Buzaladze for the Georgia5miinust and Puuluup for theEstoniaGåte for the Norway and Joost Klein for i Netherlands. Finally, not by position, Eden Golan by Israel.
Photo source: ANSA
