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Israel: Eden Golan Meets the Country’s President Yitzhak Herzog

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Ahead of her journey to Malmö for Eurovision 2024, Eden Golan had a special meeting at the presidential palace in Jerusalem with the country’s president, Yitzhak Herzog.

At the presidential residence in Jerusalem, Eden Golan had the honor of meeting with Israel’s president and his spouse. President Yitzhak Herzog expressed his confidence in Eden’s abilities, stating, “Eden’s voice will resonate from one end of the world to the other. I am sure of her capabilities, and I am happy that she will proudly wave the Israeli flag.”

Responding to the president’s warm words, Eden expressed her gratitude, saying,

“We have a truly unique people. I feel immense support from everyone and a warmth that gives me the strength to move forward. It’s amazing that we are like one big family, and we are here for each other. I feel honored to have this privilege, to stand on stage with my voice and show everyone who we are and our beautiful nation.”

Yitzhak Herzog justified his decision to intervene in the Israeli public broadcaster’s affairs when it was claimed that the broadcaster had no intention of changing the lyrics of the song submitted to the EBU. He stated,

“There were those who questioned why the President intervened in Israel’s representation at Eurovision. I reiterate my position: wherever Israel needs to be – it will be! Eden’s voice must be heard, especially when she has such a beautiful voice. We should not be ashamed to showcase our intellectual and cultural strengths.”

The head of the Israeli delegation to the competition, Yoav Tzafir, expressed gratitude to the president, saying,

“We really want to thank you. We all know the difficulties we faced with the song this year. This is a year that has never happened before, and personally, I know about your help. I truly believe that the move you made was very correct. Israel must participate in Eurovision, and if Israel did not participate in Eurovision, then you know, maybe we would be at the Olympics, maybe we would not be at Eurovision, really, thank you very much.”

Eden Golan will compete in the 14th position of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024 on May 9th with the song “Hurricane.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix

Israel: A snippet from the music video of “October Rain”!

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“Hurricane“, Israel’s entry for Eurovision 2024 was released a couple weeks ago. As is widely known, “Hurricane” is the modified version of “October Rain“, which was originally submitted to EBU and was rejected due to its political overtones.

Given the short amount of time available to film a music video, the filming was done using the original version, and when “Hurricane” was officially approved, it was changed to include the new lyrics.

Therefore, Mako released the music video of “October Rain” without the changes made, which is now known as “Hurricane“.

As you can realize, the instrumental remains the same, but the lyrics change. Specifically the lyric:

We got nothing to hide

now is

I got nothing to hide

the word “flowers” is now “empowers”

and most importantly,

Babe promise me that never again, i’ m still wet from this October rain

is replaced by:

i’m still broken from this hurricane.

There were more changes made to the lyrics of the song, in the pre-chorus as the original lyrics were “Life is no game for the cowards”, and now is “Life is no game but it’s ours”.

The lyrics of “October Rain”

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m losing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this October rain
October rain

Living in a fantasy
Ecstasy
Everything’s meant to be
We shall pass but love will never die

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this October rain
October rain

Israel currently sits on the eight place of the betting odds, while “Hurricane’s” music video has received almost three million views on YouTube. Eden Golan will perform at the second half of 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: Mako

Israel: Does Hurricane’s music video hide October 7th messaging?

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While Eurovision strives to avoid politics at all costs, hints of the October 7 massacre in Eden Golan’s ‘Hurricane’ video are already being interpreted on social media – from symbols representing the hostages to a hole in her shirt resembling a gunshot.

The drama surrounding Israel’s entry for Eurovision 2024 seems far from over, and could remain that way until Israel’s representative, Eden Golan, takes the stage in Malmo, Sweden in May with the song “Hurricane.”

Over the weekend, stylist Itay Bezaleli shared a video on his TikTok account addressing the analysis by TikToker Shira Danino, who pointed out “what was hidden from us in Eden’s Eurovision clip.”

Bezaleli said that he liked Danino’s interpretation but did not directly address the matter, even when approached by Ynet. Bezaleli is the regular costume designer for Israel’s Eurovision contestants and has been responsible for the memorable outfits of Netta Barzilai (2018) and Noa Kirel (2023) for Eurovision.
Danino sought and found signs related to the October 7 massacre, interpretations, and visual cues reflected in the singer’s costume choices. For example, the collar tie of Golan’s bodysuit reminded her of the symbol for bringing home the hostages. Another sign appeared on a tiny belly top with a hole in the center resembling a gunshot.
Furthermore, she pointed out that, at the beginning of the song, the dancers and Golan wear white clothes in the video (“After all, Simchat Torah”), which also contrasts with the white celebrations on the kibbutz lawns, and in the end, they switch to black clothes (“symbolizing mourning and the pain we transitioned from the holiday to the war”).
Danino invited followers to add their interpretations in the comments, and some have already pointed out the orange sun as a reference to the red-haired Bibas children who are still held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Whether the visual messages were deliberate or coincidental, the search for messages in clothing has divided Israelis since October 7, splitting the world into two camps: for Israel and against it. Those who happened to post a photo wearing blue and white clothes are considered supporters, while symbols in the colors of green, black, red and white, associated with the Palestinian flag, are seen as opposing Israel.
The situation reached absurdity with calls to boycott brands, websites and fashion brands like Zara, ASOS, and others, following the appearance of colorful campaigns and packages sent to Israel, including a campaign photographed in an art studio with sculptures and the model Kristen McMenamy, reminding pro-Palestinian activists of bodies pulled from rubble in Gaza.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: YNET

Andrew Lambrou is voicing his support for Eden Golan’s Hurricane!

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Andrew Lambrou, representative of Cyprus in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, expresses his support and admiration for Eden Golan’s Hurricane, Israel’s Eurovision 2024 entry. In a message he sent to Eden, he mentions that he has had an obsession with Hurricane, while Eden Golan tells him that she has missed him a lot.

In the two days or so of Hurricane’s release, the videoclip has exceeded 2 million views (on the Eurovision, Eden and KAN channels), won the first place on the Israeli spotify charts, while on the Eurovision Instagram account it has the most views behind only the Netherlands’ Europapa.

Watch Hurricane’s first live performance and then our reaction video:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Israel: Eden Golan sings “Hurricane” live!

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Shortly before the end of the KAN broadcast for the presentation of the video clip of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024, Eden Golan sang live and acapella, a small part of Hurricane, proving once again her vocal capabilities.

Eden Golan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 with the song Hurricane. Israel participates in the second half of the second semi-final.

Stay tuned to Eurovisiofun for all the updates!

Source: uval1

Israel: Listen to “Hurricane” by Eden Golan for Eurovision 2024!

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After submitting two songs recorded by Eden Golan, both of which were rejected by the EBU regarding their lyrics, KAN, the Israeli public brodcaster decided to change the lyrics of their initial choice, “October Rain”, and re-submit it for Eurovision 2024! Read more

Israel: The lyrics of “Hurricane” by Eden Golan!

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The new lyrics for Israel’s Eurovision entry has been revealed. “October Rain” has been replaced and the new song, called “Hurricane,” has received the coveted approval, Israel can now reveal the lyrics that Eden Golan will perform on the big stage in Sweden.

Much of the song is identical to its original version except for changes that allude to the war and the mood of the country. The most significant change is in the Hebrew lyrics that come at the end of the song.

The new words in Hebrew read the following: “No need for big words, only prayers, even if it’s hard to see you always leave me one small light.”

The original text, on the other hand, dealt with the fallen, the murdered, and the situation in the country: “There’s no air left to breathe, no place, no me, from day to day, they’re all good kids, each one of them .”

There are also changes to the English part. The opening words of the song, which in its original version focused on “the writers of history,” but in the current version address just players of an orchestra.

Another change is replacing the word “flowers,” which implies war casualties; was replaced with “powers”. As expected, the phrase “October Rain,” which recurred several times, was completely omitted from the text.

Contrary to the text, it should be noted that the melody remained unchanged. It’s a powerful, emotional, and beautiful ballad that will be revealed tonight in its full musical format.

Here are the English lyrics of the song:

____ symphony, playing with me,
Look into my eyes and see
People walk away but never say goodbye
Someone stole the moon tonight,
Took my light,
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry?
Hours and hours and powers
Life is no game but it’s happen
While the time goes by…
Every day i’m losing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride
Dancing in the storm, i got nothing to hide
Take it out and leave the world behind
Baby, promise me you hold me again
I’m still taken from this hurricane,
This hurricane

The video clip of the song will be revealed tonight at 22.00 cet.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Israel Hayom

Israel: Increased security measures will be implemented for Malmö!

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Regardless the protests all around Europe calling out Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2024 following the war in Gaza Strip and the fear of its entry disqualification due to political overtones, the Middle Eastern country will be present in Malmö as usual.

However, Israel’s participation in Malmö will be different from previous years, and additional security measures will be implemented to ensure the delegation’s safety.

The measures taken

According to euromix.il, the Israeli delegation will be accompanied to Malmö by dozens of security guards in accordance with the safety measures indicated by the Ministries and the General Security Service. It is expected that each member of the delegation will be accompanied by a security guard. As a result, Israel’s delegation this year will be larger than ever before, increasing the country’s participation costs. Moreover, Sweden’s law enforcement will assist Israel, ensuring its members’ safety.

Considering that Malmö is an openly pro-Palestinian city, having a large Muslim immigrant population and in fear of protests, Israel’s public appearances will be restricted to the bear minimum. Eden Golan, Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024, will not be present at this year’s opening ceremony and will not attend any pre-parties. Security is not the only reason that will keep Israel away from the Opening Ceremony, as it is scheduled on the same day with Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Israeli delegation also fears of the negative response of the audience. Palestinian flags and booing from the audience are a certain possibility, although controversial symbols are strongly prohibited inside the arena by the organizers. As Avi Zeikner, editor of euromix.il, mentions:

Apart from security dangers, it really wouldn’t surprise me if they heard boos when Israel was mentioned or when Aden took the stage. It could be a very unpleasant moment It happened in the past with Russia, and it’s definitely a possibility.

However:

There will be many requests for interviews. Even those who are now threatening to boycott us will want to come to Israel’s press conferences and ask questions about the war.

Everything will be different for Israel this year but the Middle-Eastern country is willing to take the risk.

Not the first time

It is not the first time that Israel is concerned about its delegation’s safety. Since its first appearance on the Eurovision stage in 1973, the security measures have always been strict. Indicatively, the last time the contest was held in Malmö, in 2013, the Israeli delegation was accompanied by security guards and local police forces. Sweden was not the only country to cause uncertainty for Israel. In 2012, when the contest was held in Azerbaijan and in fear of Iranian attacks, the delegation was restricted and Izbo, the country’s participants, were smuggled through side entrances and exits.

Eden Golan will serve as the country’s representative in Malmö. Her song “Hurricane” seems to have been approved by the EBU and will be released on March 10th. Israel will perform at the second half of the second semi-final.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: euromix.il

Israel: Eden Golan’s reaction to the approval of her participation by the EBU!

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Just yesterday the EBU solemnly confirmed that Israel will be present at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, with the song Hurricane by Eden Golan. The reference group of the competition approved the lyrics of the song, signed by Keren Pels, Avi Ohion and Stav Begar. Eden Golan heard the news over the phone and her reaction was, as expected, enthusiastic, making an appointment with everyone in Malmö. Read more

Israel: EBU approves “Hurricane” | Eden Golan will normally compete in Eurovision 2024!

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In an official announcement, the Israeli public television (KAN) informs us that Eden Golan’s new song entitled Hurricane has been approved by the EBU and therefore it is now official that it will compete normally in Eurovision 2024!

The song will be announced in a special show on Sunday, March 10 at 21.30 Greek time. Hurricane is signed by Keren Pels, Avi Ohion and Stav Begar and has the same melody as October Rain, which was rejected by the EBU, considering it to have political lyrics, since it referred to the events of the terrorist attack by Hamas last October in southern Israel.

While KAN initially stated that it did not intend to change the lyrics of the song and would therefore withdraw from the competition, the intervention of the country’s president seemed to be the catalyst. Isaac Hertzog urged KAN to make the necessary changes to the lyrics of the song, so that Israel would not miss out on this important international event, thus giving joy to the country’s opponents, who wish for its international isolation.

We await with interest the announcement of the Israeli participation.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: KAN