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Israel: Everything ΚΑΝ said in the EBU’s independent investigation for Eurovision 2024

Israel Public Television confirms that an independent investigation has been carried out, on behalf of the EBU, in relation to everything that happened during Eurovision 2024.

The EBU’s external partner conducting the said investigation has already contacted a senior executive of the Israeli public television. According to what KAN reported to Euromix, it is pointed out:

A conversation took place between the management of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and an external examiner appointed by the EBU. The discussion was conducted in a very positive spirit, with the corporation’s team expressing and presenting their experiences and feelings about the Eurovision 2024 contest in Malmö in a full and transparent manner. During the conversation, the Israeli team also addressed the behavior of certain delegation members towards the Israeli delegation.

The EBU will use the results of this investigation to identify what mistakes happened that brought so much negative publicity, but also to learn lessons for the future.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix

Israel: The head of delegation’s response to everything that happened at Eurovision 2024!

For everything that happened behind the scenes of Eurovision 2024, Yoav Tsafir, head of the Israeli delegation to the contest, gave his own answers.

Yoav Tsafir, who has a lot of experience with the competition, having accompanied Israeli delegations for at least eight years, argued that the source of the tension and all the drama that unfolded behind the scenes of this year’s contest was Israel’s rise to second place in the betting and the possibility of Eden Golan winning Eurovision 2024.

He first described how the members of the Israeli delegation were wearing tracking bracelets so that the security accompanying them knew where they were at all times. The hosts had prohibited them from traveling outside the hotel.

Some of the delegations of the other countries demanded not to be filmed with Eden Golan, while journalists from Israel were not allowed to photograph them either.

Relations between the Israeli delegation and some other delegations deteriorated rapidly immediately after the end of the semi-final, when Hurricane moved into second place in the betting.

Suddenly they started a competition, who will be more aggressive against Israel.

Also according to his words, several judges who are members of the national juries were instructed to rate Israel low, which is proven by the difference in the score of the juries and the television audience.

Finally, when on the day of the final the organizers decided to remove the Israeli delegation from the rest and put it in a dressing room away from the rest, Yoav Tsafir replied:

The last time they seperated the Jews in Europe like this was in 1939.

The above is the Israeli version of what happened behind the scenes of this year’s contest, which stigmatized it in the worst way.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

 

Eurovision 2024: SVT regrets choosing Malmö as the host city?

One of the most well-known radio producers on Israeli public radio, Yigal Ravid, mentioned today on a KAN radio program that members of the Swedish broadcaster admitted to the Israeli delegation that Malmö’s selection as the 2024 Eurovision host city was apparently a mistake.

For SVT and the EBU, choosing Malmö to host the 68th Eurovision Song Contest is turning out to be a major security risk. With over 70,000 Muslims calling this city home, it is widely regarded as the most pro-Palestinian city in the nation, with numerous anti-Israel demonstrations occurring literally every day.

When the host city was chosen, the events of October 7th had obviously not occurred. But now that the situation is tense, this option appears dangerous.

On the other hand, Stockholm was out of the running due to Taylor Swift’s concerts which coincide with Eurovision, as well as the refusal of the city’s football teams. Hence, there was no arena available, making Malmö the only choice for hosting the event.

Eurovision 2024 approaches, with security measures tighter than ever before, as the EBU and Swedish organizers face their most difficult challenge.

@kan_reshetbet ״הבחירה במאלמו הייתה טעות גדולה״: יגאל רביד על המשלחת הישראלית לאירוויזיון והאיומים שעלו מדרגה #השעההבינלאומית #עדןגולן #אירוויזיון ♬ original sound – כאן רשת ב
Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!
Source: KAN

 

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

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!

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!

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: The lyrics of “Hurricane” by Eden Golan!

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

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!

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

Israel: Eden Golan will sing “Hurricane” at Eurovision 2024!

The selection committee of Israel Public Television (KAN) for Eurovision, chose to submit the song “Hurricane” for the contest. The song is based on the melody of ‘October Rain’ written by Keren Pels, Avi Ohion and Stav Begar.

The selection committee of the Israeli song for Eurovision 2024, met and chose to submit the song “Hurricane” to the EBU. The committee believes that the song will be approved and will normally compete in the second semi-final which will be held on May 9, in Malmö, Sweden. The song “Hurricane” is based on the melody of “October Rain”. Originally, the song’s lyrics alluded to the terrible carnage carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, but the EBU pulled the song due to the political nature of the lyrics. The new lyrics refer to a young woman coming out of a personal crisis.

The song was written by Stav Begar (from the writers and producers of “Toy”), Avi Ohion, and “The Next Star” judge – Keren Ples.

The news was revealed by Israel Hayom’s entertainment journalist – Eran Suissa, and comes after this morning KAN confirmed that it is taking all necessary steps to allow Israel to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

KAN contacted the creators of the two selected songs, “October Rain” which was selected in first place and the song “Dance Forever” which came in second place, and requested that the lyrics be adjusted, while maintaining full artistic freedom. The adjustments have already been made at the request of the company and the song was chosen from the new texts.

The above happened after the urging of the country’s president, Yitzhak Herzog, on public television, emphasizing the importance of Israel’s presence in this year’s Eurovision song contest.

On Sunday, March 10 at 20.30 cet, the song with which Eden Golan will participate in Eurovision 2024 will be revealed!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix