Israel claims that should the organizers attempt to restrict its entry, it would withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest.
It follows earlier this week when the media was leaked the lyrics to Eden Golan’s song “October Rain.”
The song reportedly makes reference to the victims of the October 7th Hamas assault, saying in its lyrics, “They were all good children, each one of them.” This information was reported by the Israel Hayom daily.
Organizer of Eurovision The music is presently being evaluated, according to the EBU.
Political messages are prohibited by contest rules as a show of neutrality.
The EBU has already compelled national representatives to alter their lyrics. Georgia withdrew from the competition in 2009 when their suggested entry, We Don’t Wanna Put In, was disqualified due to overt allusions to the president of Russia.
In a statement regarding Israel’s 2024 entry, organisers said: “The EBU is currently in the process of scrutinizing the lyrics, a process which is confidential between the EBU and the broadcaster until a final decision has been taken.
“If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics.”
However, Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, said it would reject any request to alter the lyrics.
“It should be noted that as far as the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is concerned there is no intention to replace the song.”
“This means that if it is not approved by the European Broadcasting Union, Israel will not be able to participate in the competition, which will take place in Sweden next May.”
KAN additionally verified the accuracy of the leaked lyrics for October Rain, releasing them in full on its website last Wednesday. Described as a poignant and stirring ballad, the song revolves around the recurring line, “I’m still soaked in this October rain.”
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Within the verses, Golan expresses, “Who said boys don’t shed tears/ Countless hours pass by/ Amidst flowers/ Life isn’t a playground for the timid.”
The mention of flowers carries weight, noted Israel Hayom, as it symbolizes fallen soldiers in military jargon.
The song concludes in Hebrew: “There’s no more air to breathe/ Nowhere to go/ No me, day by day.”
KAN disclosed that Israel’s culture minister, Miki Zohar, reached out to the President of the EBU, urging the panel to endorse the song. “In his correspondence, the minister emphasized that Israel is navigating through one of its most intricate phases, underscoring the significance of selecting a representative song in light of this reality,” the broadcaster stated.
Writing on X, Mr Zohar said it would be “scandalous” to disqualify the song.
“The song of Israel, which will be performed by Eden Golan, is a moving song, which expresses the feelings of the people and the country these days, and is not political,” he added.
“We all hope that Eurovision will remain a musical and cultural event and not a political arena – where the participating countries can bring their uniqueness and nationalism to the stage through music.
“I call on the European Broadcasting Union to continue to act professionally and neutrally, and not to let politics affect art.”