Since last Tuesday, the Eurovision Song Contest has filled the Malmö Arena in Sweden with music, colorful outfits, eye-catching sets and multiple personalities. At the moment, 10 countries have managed to qualify for the grand final, while the rest seek their luck this Thursday. However, Israel’s participation in this year’s contest has put the organization in the eye of the storm, after everything that happened in Gaza.
Since Eden Golan’s representation with Hurricane in the Swedish city was announced, the public has protested this fact in every possible way and requested that the EBU back down. Israel has finally reached the second semi-final of the festival, but not without controversies: the lyric changes to eliminate references to October 7, Golan’s controversial statements about the army and the demonstration in the previous hours.
Within this climate of tension, Belgian public television has begun tonight’s broadcast with a forceful message, directed directly at Israel for its actions in recent months. “We condemn the violations of the Israeli state. Israel is destroying freedom of the press. That is why we are momentarily interrupting the broadcast,” read a poster on a black background broadcast on VRT1 in the moments before the start of the gala.
The hours leading up to the second semi-final have not been without nerves inside the Malmö Arena either. During Golan’s rehearsals with the public, the Israeli singer received many boos and shouts of “Free Palestine” were heard while she thoroughly prepared the choreography for Hurricane. KAN, the country’s public broadcaster, has sent a message on social networks to dissuade doubts.
“Eden proudly walked on stage during the dress rehearsal and gave an incredible performance. They did not silence her and they will not silence us. See you tomorrow,” they expressed in her statement. Eden Golan herself also spoke on Wednesday in The Times of Israel: “I am proud to represent my country, especially this year. “I am receiving support and love and I am determined to give my best performance tomorrow in the semi-final and nothing will deter me from achieving that goal!”
Despite the current situation in Malmö, the Spanish delegation remains attentive to the hours before Saturday’s final, performing Zorra in this second semifinal. During the previous weeks, Nebulossa has discouraged any type of controversy surrounding her song, downplaying the criticism received.
