Eurovision: Israel's Eden Golan qualifies for the final
Eurovision Song Contest viewers have raged "fix" after Israel's entry qualified for Saturday's (May 11) grand final following Thursday's (May 9) semi-final. This year's contest in Malmo, Sweden, has been marred by protests about Israel's participation, however singer Eden Golan still managed to make it through to the final, via a public vote, with her song Hurricane.
Eden was one of 16 contestants hoping to make it through, and despite opposition to her participation, she put in an engaging performance. Despite this, viewers were outraged that the country had qualified in light of the current Israel–Hamas war. They took to Twitter, formerly known as X, to make their feelings known.
@LauraMu26036754 raged: "It's a fix.... There is no way Europe voted for Israel #Eurovision2024 #Eurovision." @sarah_clearysc had a similar sentiment fuming: "How the f*** has Israel qualified Unbelievable levels of f****** going on there.. #FreePalestine #eurovision."
@kyo_lulev shared: "Disgusting and foul that Israel was even allowed to participate this year. Let alone get through to the finals. #eurovision #FreePalaestine." @cfs123plays seemed concerned writing: "Either those percentages are not real, or we've SERIOUSLY underestimated the potential of an Israel landslide. This could be a VERY difficult watch for all involved on Saturday. #Eurovision."
@Wheelboii pondered: "The united feeling didnt want Israel to participate, somehow they went to the final #bbc #Eurovision2024 #Eurovision #ESC2024 #Songfestival."
Protests have been ongoing about Israel's participation. On Thursday (May 9) Greta Thunberg joined the pro-Palestine rallies.
The climate activist, 21, joined the Stop Israel demonstration in the Swedish city centre on Thursday, ahead of Eden's performance in the competition's second semi-final.
Eden had previously changed the name of her song to Hurricane from October Rain, which was thought to allude to the Hamas attacks late last year.
Thunberg, draped in a keffiyeh (a symbol of solidarity with Palestine), stood amidst the crowd as protesters, some accompanied by children and pet dogs, brandished posters depicting injured Gazan civilians.
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The demonstrations were marked by the release of smoke canisters in Palestinian colours, and chants of "free Palestine." Police instructed the pro-Palestinian group to retreat, prompting them to return to the main gathering. A banner resembling the Eurovision logo but bearing the word "genocide" was also displayed, an accusation Israel vehemently denies.
Many artists, including the UK's Olly Alexander have been criticised because they refused to forgo competing depite Israel's participation.
Speaking about the pressure, Olly said: "Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different. And this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is. But, obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely …I’ve just felt really sad and distressed. "But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision."
