Eden Golan has been chosen to represent Israel in Eurovision despite calls for a boycott by some artists. The selection of Golan as the country’s act for May’s event has sparked controversy.
Eden Golan will represent the country in May, but some artists have called for Israel to be excluded.
Golan, aged 20, secured her spot in a TV talent show following her rendition of Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” She dedicated her performance to the over 130 Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza, expressing, “We won’t feel complete until everyone is safely home.”
However, musicians from various nations have advocated for Israel’s suspension. In December, Iceland’s Association of Composers and Lyricists released a statement asserting that Israel’s military activities in Gaza rendered its involvement incongruent with an event marked by “joy and optimism.”
A petition, which has collected approximately 10,000 signatures, advocates for the expulsion of Israel, constituting nearly 3% of the country’s population. The petition suggests that if Israel participates, Iceland should withdraw.
In Finland, over 1,400 professionals in the music industry have signed a petition criticizing their national broadcaster Yle for what they perceive as double standards. They argue that Yle was quick to call for a ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and expect the same level of advocacy for values in the current situation.
Musicians from Norway and Denmark have penned comparable letters, while a Swedish collective, featuring pop icons such as Robyn, Fever Ray, and First Aid Kit, have accused Israel of war crimes in an open letter.
They expressed that allowing Israel’s involvement not only undermines the essence of the competition but also the broader public service mission.
Before being chosen to represent the UK, Olly Alexander also supported a statement alleging Israel of genocide.
An Israeli representative later described the arguments as “absurd” and accused Alexander and others of harboring “anti-Israel bias,” according to the UK’s Telegraph newspaper.
Eurovision organizers have refrained from excluding Israel, despite pressure to do so, citing the distinction between the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.
Noel Curran, the director general of the European Broadcasting Union, emphasized the complexity of comparing wars and conflicts, stating it is not within their purview as a non-political media organization, as reported by the New York Times.
While acknowledging the concerns and strong opinions regarding the ongoing Middle East conflict, Curran stressed that Eurovision is fundamentally not a platform for government competition.
In December, 26-year-old Shaul Greenglick, a contestant, withdrew from the competition due to his military reservist duty resuming. Tragically, he was killed in Gaza on December 26th.
During the final of the show, Greenglick’s family performed a song in his honor called “Hakochav Haba” (The Next Star).
Despite calls for Israel’s exclusion, the country is currently ranked fifth favorite to win by bookmakers, with expectations of increased support.
Following her selection, Golan expressed her aspiration to convey a positive message to the contest in Sweden. “It’s a dream, especially this year, when it holds even greater significance,” she said. “It’s about showcasing our true identity to the world and bringing our nation’s spirit to the stage in three minutes, displaying our emotions, strength, and unity.”
Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, which oversees the country’s entry, has mandated that her song include some Hebrew lyrics “given the current challenging circumstances.”
Golan, born in Israel but raised in Russia, won’t be the sole Israeli on the Eurovision stage this year; Luxembourg’s Tali Golergant also hails from Israel.
The buzz and excitement around this event is palpable, but it’s also impossible to ignore the complex political backdrop. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it’s clear that the magic of Eurovision is still in the air. So, get ready to witness some amazing performances, feel the pulse of the music, and let’s celebrate the diversity of talent on the Eurovision stage. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to the big event! #Eurovision
Read More: Eurovision: Finnish artists want Israel barred from Eurovision over “war crimes”
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