Both in Sweden and abroad, voices have been raised to remove Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest due to the war in Gaza and the many civilian casualties. However, the claims have been dismissed by the European Broadcasting Union EBU, which says it wants to protect the competition’s status as “an apolitical event that unites audiences around the world through music”.
This year’s Israeli Eurovision contestant was selected by a jury in the talent show “Kochav Haba” (“Rising Star”). The song that Eden Golan will perform will be determined at a later date.
Must be performed in Hebrew
The requirement that the artists perform in their mother tongue was abolished in 1999, but this year the state broadcaster Kan 11, which sponsors the Israeli delegation, has decided that the contributions will be performed in Hebrew.
The jury has also decided that they will choose “the most worthy song to represent Israel in light of the complicated period that Israel has experienced in recent months”, writes the Jerusalem Post.
List of requirements for exclusion
Recently over a thousand Swedish artists came out with the joint demand to exclude Israel and similar calls have taken place in other countries referring to the exclusion of Russia in 2022 shortly after the country began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
However, the EBU stands by its assessment that it is broadcasters and artists who compete, not governments.
Luxembourg is also represented this year by an Israeli artist. The entry “Fighter” is performed by Israeli-born singer Tali Golergant.