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Eurovision 2024: EBU’s FAQ on Israel’s participation!

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There have been numerous voices calling for Israel to be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest since the start of the crisis in Gaza in October. Many participating countries have witnessed protests, and many artists who were competing in national selections have expressed doubts and worries about taking part in Eurovision because of Israel’s presence.

But in spite of all the criticism, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) chose to list Israel among the participating nations for Eurovision 2024, a move that incited more criticism.

A press release from the EBU has been prepared to address any frequently asked questions regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024.

Why is Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest?

The Eurovision Song Contest is open to all members of the European Broadcasting Union which represents broadcasters from right across Europe and the Middle East.

The Israeli public service broadcaster has been a member of the EBU since 1957 and has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for 50 years.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences around the world through music.

Why is Israel still a Member of the EBU when Russia was suspended?

As a non-political organization, the EBU’s role is to support public service broadcasters throughout Europe and the Middle East.

The Israel public service broadcaster has been a member of the EBU for over 60 years. The Russian public service broadcasters had their EBU membership suspended in 2022 due to consistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service media values.

Why is the Israeli entry eligible to compete?

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) can confirm that the official submission from its Israeli Member Kan has been deemed eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

The Contest’s Reference Group, its governing board, made the decision to accept the song ‘Hurricane’ for the upcoming competition after careful scrutiny of the lyrics.

It was agreed that ‘Hurricane’ met the necessary criteria for participation in accordance with the rules of the competition.

Will there be more security than usual this year, because of the fact the Israel is competing?

We take the safety of attendees and staff at the Eurovision Song Contest very seriously. We continue to work closely with SVT, the City of Malmö, Malmö Arena, the local Police and other law enforcement agencies and feel confident in being able to create a safe event for all participants and visitors in May.

How will the EBU react if there are protests in Malmö?

The EBU is a firm advocate for freedom of speech and the right for people to express their deeply held views and opinions. We understand that people may wish to make their voices heard and support the right of those who wish to demonstrate peacefully.

What does the EBU think about the fact that many people have said they will boycott Eurovision this year, because Israel is allowed to compete?

We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East but the Eurovision Song Contest’s values of universality, inclusivity and celebrating diversity through music have never been more important. Hundreds of millions around the world share those values and engaged with the event on television and online in 2023. We look forward to being “United By Music” again this year.

EBU’s official response on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 was given back in February by the organization’s General Director, Noel Curran.

A new statement from the EBU confirms Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024!

Israel will participate in Malmö with Eden Golan and her song “Hurricane“. Eden Golan will perform fourteenth in the second semi-final on May 9.

You can also watch EurovisionFun’s reaction video on “Hurricane“, below:

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2024: The EBU opposes any form of abuse, hate speech or harassment towards artists!

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The European Broadcasting Union acknowledges the depth of feeling and the strong opinions that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest – set against the backdrop of a terrible war in the Middle East – has provoked. We understand that people will want to engage in debate and express their deeply held views on this matter. We have all been affected by the images, stories and the unquestionable pain suffered by those in Israel and in Gaza.

However, we wish to address the concerns and discussions surrounding this situation, especially the targeted social media campaigns against some of our participating artists.

The decision to include any broadcaster, including the Israeli’ broadcaster Kan, in the Eurovision Song Contest is the sole responsibility of the EBU’s governing bodies and not that of the individual artists. These artists come to Eurovision to share their music, culture, and the universal message of unity through the language of music.

The EBU has previously explained the reasoning for the inclusion of KAN and the differences between them as an independent broadcaster and previous participants who were excluded. Constructive debate is a positive consequence of such decisions.

However, while we strongly support freedom of speech and the right to express opinions in a democratic society, we firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest. This is unacceptable and totally unfair, given the artists have no role in this decision.

The EBU is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants, staff, and fans of the Eurovision Song Contest. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to promote the values of respect, inclusivity, and understanding, both online and offline.

We urge everyone to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue and support the artists who are working tirelessly – on what is a music and entertainment show – to share their music with the world.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2024: The voting window will be open throughout the Grand Final | Big Five and Sweden will perform live in the semi-finals too!

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In exactly two months from now, we will know the winner of Eurovision 2024. However and in order to keep the excitement high, SVT has announced some changes to the 2024 edition.

The voting window will be extended in the Grand Final

As for now, following the conclusion of all the participants’ performances in the Grand Final, the voting window opens for the public. However, this year, the voting will start at the beginning of the show, just before the first performance. This system was only implemented twice before , in 2010 and 2011 and will return in 2024.

Moreover, fans in non-participating countries (the Rest of the World) will now have nearly 24 hours to vote for their favorite songs before each live show begins. Online voting for the Rest of The World will begin immediately after the second dress rehearsal for each Semi-Final and Grand Final concludes the previous night, and will remain open until the live shows begin.

For these changes, the executive producer of Eurovision 2024, Ebba Adielsson, mentions:

Voting in the final has previously opened when all 26 entries have finished singing. Instead, we want to provide the opportunity to engage the viewers from the start – if you see something you like, you should be able to vote immediately. You can also, of course, wait until the recap at the end, as in previous years.

SVT has positive experience with this voting procedure in ‘Melodifestivalen’ (Sweden’s national final). In addition, there are viewers in other parts of the world who want to vote and we want to give them a better opportunity to participate in the result. Now they don’t have to set an alarm clock in the middle of the night.

Big Five and Sweden will perform in the semi-finals

The artists from the Big Five nations—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom—as well as the host country, Sweden, will each perform their entry in full live during the semi-finals for the first time.

Previously, during the Semi-Finals, a brief video snippet of each of their rehearsals was shown. The Big Five and Sweden will now get the opportunity to present their entries to the audience live alongside the competing acts on the Eurovision stage.

However, their performances will not be presented during the interval, as usual, but they will be slotted in between the participants’ acts.

  • Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom will perform in the first semi-final
  • France, Italy and Spain will perform in the second semi-final

Regarding this, the executive producer of Eurovision 2024, Ebba Adielsson, mentions:

We think that this change gives the Big Five countries and the host country a fairer playing field in the Grand Final, as they now have the opportunity to perform “for real” on stage in the Semi-Finals. It is also a win for both the audience in the arena and the viewers at home, in that they get to see all the acts competing this year live before the Grand Final.

The changes will not stop here, with SVT teasing us with an additional major change.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2024: The Grand Final will be shortened by a maximum of five minutes!

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During Melodifestivalen, and specifically the Melfest WKND, the scriptwritter of this year’s Eurovision, Edward af Sillén, stated that the Grand Final of the Contest is about to be shortened, by about five minutes.

Edward af Sillén, said that there is no intention for a major shortening of the Grand Final of Eurovision. Earlier this season, it was annnounced that SVT, the public broadcaster of Sweden and the host broadcaster, wants to reduce the Grand Final by about an hour!

These statements of Sillén, confirm, but in a much smaller degree, what the production team of SVT stated back in June 2023, regarding the reduction of the broadcast of the contest, as in recent years, the broadcast was more than four hours long.

What remains now, is to see how these changes will be implemented in the Contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024, will take place in Malmö from May 7 to 11, after Loreen’s win with the song “Tattoo”. The country’s representatives will be Marcus & Martinus with their song “Unforgettable”:

https://youtu.be/yekc8t0rJqA

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Swedish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Israel: EBU takes into account new threats against KAN!

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The European Broadcasting Union, EBU, expresses its concerns regarding the new threats against the indepedance and the sustainability of the Israeli public broadcaster KAN!

One month ago, the Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi seems to have stated that “there is no place for public broadcasting in the State of Israel”.

Moreover, the Government threatened to withdraw the fundings towards the piblic broadcaster something that would lead to the shut down of the KAN and the news operation and to an important loss of jobs.

In addition, there are also plans of depriving KAN’s ability for commercial revenue, which would lead to 13% income reduction, and of transfering three of the most popular radio stations to commercial owners.

The current crisis has been escalated as the Minister of Communications through a letter towards the Director General of KAN questions their reporting of the government’s judicial reforms and the protests against them.

The Director General of EBU Noel Curran stated that:

“Impartial news and information are critical to the functioning of a healthy democracy. 

“We call on the Israeli government to safeguard the independence of our Member KAN and ensure it is allowed to operate in a sustainable way, with funding that is both stable, adequate, fair, and transparent.”

Source: EBU

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

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Israel: The country’s President is trying to resolve the issue with EBU | “It is important for us to participate”!

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According to the statements of the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, efforts are being made on his part for Israel to participate normally in Eurovision 2024, overcoming the problems that have been created with the lyrics of the song, KAN has chosen for its Eurovision entry.

President Isaac Herzog is trying to help resolve the dispute that has arisen between Israel’s public broadcaster and the EBU over the lyrics of the song chosen by the KAN committee for Eden Golan to compete in Eurovision 2024.

“I think it is important for Israel to appear at Eurovision and this is also a statement because there are haters who try to drive us out of every stage,” the president said at a conference in Jerusalem, according to Jewish media reports.

“Being smart isn’t just about being right,” he adds, implying that even if everyone in Israel thinks the lyrics of the song shouldn’t be changed, it’s more important to be smart and not be absent from the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, something that many around the world have been trying to achieve in various ways lately.

We remind you that the EBU, again according to reports, does not approve the lyrics of October Rain, considering that they contain political content. On the other hand, KAN has declared that it does not intend to change the lyrics of the song and that if the EBU does not approve it, it will withdraw from the competition. The intervention of the country’s first citizen brings a new twist to the case. We await the developments with interest.

October Rain lyrics:

The writers of history

Stand by me

Look into my eyes and you will see

People go but never say goodbye

 

Someone stole the moon tonight

Took my light

Everything is black and white

Who is the fool who told you?

That boys don’t cry

 

Hours and hours and flowers

Life is not a game for cowards

Why does time go crazy?

 

Every day I lose my mind

Clinging to this mysterious journey

Dancing up a storm

We have nothing to hide

Take me home

 

Leave the world behind

And I promise you never again

I’m still wet from the October rain

October rain

 

Live in fantasy

In ecstasy

Everything is meant to be

We will die, but love never will

 

Hours and hours and flowers

Life is not a game for cowards

Why does time go crazy?

 

Every day I lose my mind

Clinging to this mysterious journey

Dancing up a storm

We have nothing to hide

Take me home

 

And leave the world behind

And I promise you never again

I’m still wet from the October rain

October rain

October rain

 

(This part will be in Hebrew)

There is no air left to breathe

There is no place, I am not there day by day

They are all good kids, one by one

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: timesofisrael

Israel: The lyrics in question from Eden Golan’s Eurovision 2024 entry!

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According to Israeli media reports in recent days, KAN has decided on “October Rain” as the country’s Eurovision entry for 2024. Given the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip, protests throughout Europe, and the contest’s regulations, KAN contacted the EBU to determine whether the song’s lyrics are considered political or not.

The song’s lyrics are currently being reviewed by the EBU, with the fear of being disqualified due to the political overtones, which can also be seen in the song’s title.

The lyrics in question

According to Israel Hayom, “October Rain” is mostly written in English, while the last lines are in Hebrew and go as following:

There’s no air left to breathe.

No place, no me from day to day.

Meanwhile, the song ends with this lyric:

They were all good children each one of them.

Not only the finale of the song can be considered political, but also several other lyrics, such as:

Evening. Everything is black and white. Who is the fool. Who told you boys don’t cry. Hours and hours and flowers. Life is not a game for the cowards…

While time goes by. Every day I’m losing my mind, Holding on

It is worth noticing that the world “Flowers” is used among IDF soldiers referring to fallen soldiers in battle.

Israel – in fear of withdrawal

Although, EBU has not made an official decision yet, KAN does not consider changing the song. According to Israeli, “October Rain” is not political, it simply expresses the feelings of the people and the country in these times. Withdrawing will be the only choice for Israel in case “October Rain” is disqualified.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: israelhayom

Israeli Entry in Eurovision 2024 Under Threat as EBU Considers Disqualification!

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After being examined by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ynet has learned from European sources that there is concern that the song sent to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024 may be disqualified due to what they claim are political statements. Following these messages, the board of KAN hastily convened and decided:

“We will not change the lyrics or the song, even if it means Israel will not participate in Eurovision this year.”

Concerns Over Israel’s Participation in Eurovision: EBU Contemplates Disqualifying “October’s Rain”

Israeli singer Eden Golan, who was supposed to perform the song “October’s Rain” at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo in May, was scheduled to unveil the song last week. However, the decision was postponed by the board for a few more days. ynet learned then that the reason for the delay stemmed from a request by the European Broadcasting Union to receive the song before its release, and to approve its lyrics to ensure there are no political messages. Sources familiar with the details told ynet that this was not an exceptional request for Israel and that it has been a clause in the Eurovision regulations for several years.

However, European sources have now told ynet that the EBU intends to disqualify the song. In response, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation has stood firm and clarified that it will not change the lyrics – whatever the cost. Following the messages from the EBU about the intention to disqualify the song, the board of the corporation hastily convened and decided,

“We will not change the lyrics or the song, even if it means Israel will not participate in Eurovision this year.”

In an official response to ynet’s revelation, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated:

“The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is in dialogue with the EBU regarding the song that will represent Israel in Eurovision.”

No response has been provided by the EBU at the time of reporting.

Against the backdrop of these developments, just a week ago, Eurovision organizers officially announced that they had once again postponed the requests to disqualify Israel from the competition, in contrast to the steps taken against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “Comparisons between war and conflict are complex, and as a non-political communication organization, this is not the place for us to make them,” said EBU CEO Noel Curran in an interview. He added that the association is aware of the voices calling for Israel’s disqualification but emphasized, “Eurovision is a musical event, not a political one; it’s not a competition between governments.”

As a reminder, the European Broadcasting Union has consistently shown that it does not take a political stance regarding the conflict with Hamas. Additionally, the EBU responded to Israel’s request to participate in the second semi-final of the competition, to be held in Malmo, due to the proximity to Holocaust Remembrance Day and Independence Day.

The controversy surrounding Israel’s entry in Eurovision 2024 underscores the delicate balance between music and politics in the iconic competition. While the European Broadcasting Union maintains that Eurovision is a musical event devoid of political undertones, tensions arise when lyrics are perceived to contain political messages. Israel’s steadfast refusal to alter the song’s lyrics, despite the risk of disqualification, highlights the importance placed on artistic integrity and freedom of expression.

As the dialogue between the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation and the EBU continues, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving Eurovision fans on edge as they await further developments.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: Ynet

 

Faroe Islands: Five year support to KVF is needed for its integration in the EBU!

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As we’ve previously informed you, the public broadcaster of the Faroe Islands, which is called KVF, hopes to become a member of the EBU, in the near future.

For yet another year, an artist from the Faroe Islands, took part in the DMGP 2024 ending up in third place. That is Janus Wiberg with the song “I Need Your Love”.

The public broadcaster of the Faroe Islands, has expressed its interest in competing in the Eurovision Song Contest, but taking into account that the Islands are part of the Danish Realm, the complete EBU member status, is not yet been approved.

Sirið Stenberg, the Minister of Social Affairs and Culture, was iin Liverpool last year alongside Ivan Niclasen. In this way, the public broadcaster, decided that the Faroe Islands must be a part of the EBU, and represent the Faroeses in Eurovision.

A five year support to KVF is essential, for its integration into the EBU. The EBU is responsible for Eurovision and it’s a partnership between public broadcasters. Becoming a member of the EBU will cost 1.5 million ISK, adding to the half million ISK for its annual membership.

However, all these plans are still in the making…

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest!

Sweden: Demonstration in Stockholm against Israel in Eurovision! | Around 2000 people protest!

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An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people have gathered at Odenplan in Stockholm for the demonstration, according to a police officer on site. The procession went to Gustav Adolfs Torg where the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has its office.

In the procession, several Palestinian flags were seen and the demonstrators chanted several slogans for Palestine.

Many had pictures of watermelons – a symbol of Palestinian struggle, and from the back of a car the demonstrators were urged to try to coup watermelons into the Melodifestivalen‘s TV broadcasts again, as two activists did last week. Per Hussein, who is involved in arranging the demonstration, says:

“The watermelon is a symbol of freedom and justice. The only people who would oppose such a symbol are those who stand against freedom and justice, and I don’t see why anyone would want to do that.”

Several of the demonstrators carried placards with messages about Israel’s Eurovision participation. Protester Lubna al Sheikhly said:

“Everyone agreed that Russia should not be involved. Now, after the deaths of 30,000 children, Israel is allowed to participate. This is not right.”

EBU: Israel’s public service broadcaster does not break the rules

The Eurovision organizer EBU‘s position is that the music competition is not between countries, but between public service broadcasters and that Israel‘s companies have not violated the contest rules.

There have been calls to ban Israel from Eurovision 2024, like 1000 Swedish musicians that signed today a petition to the EBU against Israel outside NRK right during the first two weeks of MGP. In Iceland, more than 500 artists signed a petition asking RÚV to withdraw from the contest, while Silvia Night signed an open letter to the EBU asking to ban Israel. In Finland, 1300 artists signed a petition asking for Israel to be removed. The British representative Olly Alexander has also shared in public his opinion against Israel. Also just recently Montaigne signed an open letter to the EBU asking the ban of Israel from the contest and Ben Dolic joined her by doing the same.

Source: Aftonbladet
Photo: Peter Wixtröm/Aftonbladet

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the latest news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest!

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