Israel’s Eurovision 2024 song, as originally proposed. On Saturday night, May 18 in Tel Aviv, singer Eden Golan performed for the first time in public. october rain, the original version of the title he defended on May 11 in Malmö during the 77th edition of the competition. This first text, considered too political by the organizers, had to be modified so that the artist could participate in the telegancho.
It was during a weekly demonstration to demand a ceasefire and the return of the hostages that the 20-year-old singer revealed this piece. Surrounded by protesters brandishing portraits of some 130 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the interpreter first addressed the crowd, The Times of Israel reported:
“It’s the first time I’ve sung in public since I came back from Eurovision,” she said. “I wanted to do it here, in this square. I wanted to sing ‘October Rain’ tonight, it’s my prayer for everyone to come home.”
Then, Eden Golan sang her song, singing for the first time the lyrics that were changed for her participation in Eurovision.
Months of controversy
This original version contains lyrics considered references to the October 7 massacre, when Hamas entered Israeli soil to carry out 1,170 dead and drink 240 hostages in Gaza. 110 of them They have since been released.
Starting with the title, which means “October rain”, but also with the words: “They were all good young men, every one of them”, perceived as a reference to the massacre that occurred that day during the Nova festival.
Eurovision has highlighted its apolitical DNA since its creation in 1956. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the contest, rejected these words last February as too political. After a second proposal called dance foreveralso refuted, Israel finally convinced the organization with Hurricanea watered down version that Eden Golan was able to perform on the Eurovision stage.
Many voices have been raised in recent months throughout Europe to demand the disqualification of Israel from the Eurovision contest, due to the war that has been waged since October 7 between the Jewish State and Hamas. Since then, the ultra-deadly Israeli response has left more than 34,000 dead in Gaza, according to Hamas figures.
Israel rose to fifth place in the Eurovision 2024 qualification after the final on May 11. The winner of the contest was the Swiss artist Nemo and the title was from him. The code. France, represented by Slimane with the song My lovetook fourth place.
Source: BFM TV
