Israel Chooses Eden Golan as Representative for Eurovision Song Contest
Israel has announced that singer Eden Golan will be representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. This decision comes amidst mounting international pressure to exclude Israel from the competition due to the war in Gaza.
Golan, a 20-year-old singer, was selected during a TV talent show where she performed the Aerosmith hit, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” However, musicians from various countries have called on Eurovision organizers to suspend Israel’s participation in the competition.
In December, Iceland’s Association of Composers and Lyricists stated that the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza make it impossible for the country to participate in an event that is “characterized by joy and optimism.” A petition in Iceland calling for Israel to be banned from this year’s Eurovision event, and for Iceland to withdraw if it is not, garnered around 10,000 signatures, which is approximately 3 percent of the country’s population.
Similar sentiments have been expressed in Finland, where over 1,400 music industry professionals signed an open letter accusing national broadcaster Yleisradio Oy of double standards. They pointed out that Yleisradio Oy was among the first to call for a Eurovision ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and expected the same level of action against Israel.
Musicians in Norway and Denmark also signed letters calling for Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision. In Sweden, popular artists such as Robyn, Fever Ray, and First Aid Kit signed an open letter accusing Israel of war crimes.
Before being chosen to represent the UK at Eurovision, singer Olly Alexander signed a statement accusing Israel of genocide. Despite these international pressures, Eurovision organizers have resisted calls to exclude Israel, citing key differences between the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.
Noel Curran, the director general of the European Broadcasting Union, stated that comparisons between wars and conflicts are complex and difficult to make. As a nonpolitical media organization, it is not their place to make such judgments. He emphasized that Eurovision is not a contest between governments but a celebration of music.
“The EBU is aligned with other international organizations, including sports unions and federations and other international bodies, that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance toward Israeli participants in major competitions at this time,” Curran added.
The war in Gaza has cast a long shadow over Israel’s televised Eurovision selection process. Originally scheduled for October, the selection process was marred by tragedy when three singers who had auditioned for the show were killed by Hamas during the Supernova Music Festival. Another contestant, Shaul Greenglick, withdrew from the competition in December due to his military reservist duties and was subsequently killed in Gaza.
In light of the complicated period, Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, has mandated that Golan’s song must include some Hebrew lyrics. This decision reflects the current circumstances and adds a meaningful touch to her performance.
Despite the controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision, the country remains determined to showcase its musical talent on an international stage. As the competition approaches, all eyes will be on Eden Golan as she represents Israel and competes against artists from around the world.