Eden Golan's leap into the Eurovision Song Contest final comes amidst Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza. Her qualification intensifies the frustration of those condemning Israel's involvement in the competition. Despite opposition, Golan snagged her spot in the final through the public vote with her rendition of "Hurricane" during the semi-final in Malmö, Sweden.
Before Golan's advancement, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators flooded the streets of Malmö to voice their objections to Israel's involvement, citing grave concerns over the ongoing Gaza conflict. Public sentiment was notably disheartened as people expressed their dismay at Israel's participation, via X.
????????????Eurovision: Israel was booed off stage as people also chanted “Free Palestine!" ????????
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) May 9, 2024
Well done!
pic.twitter.com/vLUHqChPn6
BREAKING: Belgian TV channel interrupts Eurovision to address Israel’s genocide:
— sarah (@sahouraxo) May 9, 2024
“This is a union action. We condemn the human rights violations committed by Israel. Additionally, Israel is destroying press freedom. That is why we are pausing the broadcast for a moment.”
???????? pic.twitter.com/9JRQlEEir4
REMINDER if you hear cheers for israel during the broadcast it’s cause of the ebu is using anti-booing technique trying to cover up boos with fake cheers for tv, but this is how it’s actually like inside the arena ‼️ #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/3Cs9oESnaa
— rasmus (@rasmusbravado) May 9, 2024
Greta is out with the Palestine protesters at Eurovision saying Israel should be banned from the competition due to the ongoing genocide it’s perpetrating. pic.twitter.com/eO4LcmYZRh
— Read Let This Radicalize You (@JoshuaPHilll) May 9, 2024
Eurovision banned Russia from participating without even a discussion. They just immediately banned them. But Israel can mass murder and kill over 25 times the children in just 7 months, and it is "essential for Western civilization to allow Israel to do propaganda." pic.twitter.com/bDiZFHgTeQ
— ☀️ (@zei_squirrel) May 10, 2024
Throughout the semi-final, Golan faced a mixed reception from the audience, with both cheers and boos punctuating her performance, underscoring the contentious nature of her presence. Despite facing criticism, Golan expressed gratitude for the support she received and reaffirmed her pride in representing Israel on the Eurovision stage.
Golan's song, originally named "October Rain," was altered after contest organizers found it too political, referencing Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. Before her performance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that Golan had already won by enduring what he described as a "horrible wave of anti-Semitism" in the protests against her, deflecting attention from Israel's ongoing brutality in Gaza.