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Yuval Raphael, a survivor of Israel’s Nova Music Festival, where on October 7, 2023, hundreds were killed, assaulted or captured by Hamas terrorists from the nearby Gaza Strip, will represent Israel at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland.

The 24-year-old aspiring singer, who had no prior experience singing professionally, was crowned the victor of season 11 of Rising Star, Israel’s popular singing competition show on network Keshet 12, and awarded the coveted honor to represent Israel on the world stage.

The show has previously selected winners such as Netta, who won Eurovision in 2018 and brought the annual colorful music competition telecast to Tel Aviv. In the last two years, local pop stars Noa Kirel and Eden Golan, finished in third place and fifth place, respectively.

During the finale on Wednesday night local time, Raphael performed a stripped-down rendition of “Dancing Queen” by Abba, the Swedish pop group that gained global success...

The Eurovision Song Contest has for the first time introduced an official code of contact for contestants taking part in next year’s competition.

The code of conduct mostly codifies rules already in place in one document but will include some changes, including the introduction of no-filming zones backstage, more closed-door rehearsals and improved rehearsal schedules to ensure artists can rest and even enjoy their time in the host city, which next year will be Basel, Switzerland. As previously intimated, Eurovision will also appoint a welfare producer who will be the key point of contact for artists and staff in the event of any issues.

Crucially, the code of conduct will apply to everyone accredited for the event, from the artists themselves to their entourages and even attending media.

The European Broadcasting Union, which owns the pan-continental singing contest, introduced a raft of new measures following a number of controversies at the 2024 edition,...

Sia dedicated a performance of “Titanium” to survivors of the Nova Music Festival caught up in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel during the 2024 Anti-Defamation League’s In Concert Against Hate event on Monday night in Washington, D.C.

Before singing the song she originally recorded with David Guetta, Sia declared from the stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, “We will dance again,” as Nova Festival survivors Ofir Amir, Danielle Gelbaum, Tomer Meir and Daniel Dvir came to her side after the performance.

Gelbaum, when first introducing Sia, told the Kennedy Center audience: “Her music gave me the opportunity to know that I will dance again, and I am dancing again, and tonight we will dance again.”

The Adl event also saw Eden Golan, who represented Israel at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, sing the original version of “October Rain.” Golan performed a rewritten version of the song,...

Eden Golan certainly never imagined she would be a symbol of hate. But that’s exactly what she became when she was chosen to represent Israel at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, held in May in Malmö, Sweden, amid the horrors of the Israel-Hamas war. Despite calls for Israel to be banned from the contest, the Eurovision organizers allowed Golan to sing for the country — only after demanding that her song entry be “de-politicized” by removing all references to the Oct. 7 massacre that murdered 1,200 Israelis and started the war.

She was met everywhere she went by hordes of angry protestors; sneered at and insulted by her fellow contestants; and ultimately had to perform in an arena of boos so loud, she could not hear herself sing. Keeping her composure throughout, Golan — who turned 21 just four days ago — managed to make it all the way to the finals, landing second place...

Captain America: Brave New World has a controversy that’s decades in the making, yet is being fueled by current events.

The film stars Anthony Mackie as Captain America and Harrison Ford, making his Marvel Studios debut taking over the role of U.S. President Thaddeus Ross from the late William Hurt. The first trailer was released early Friday and is overall winning raves from fans.

But a supporting character seems destined to be an inadvertent lightning rod, and there are calls to boycott the film, sight unseen. Emmy nominee Shira Haas (Unorthodox) plays Ruth Bat-Seraph, an Israeli former Black Widow who is now a high-ranking government U.S. official.

The character’s backlash stems from her original incarnation in the comics. Ruth was formerly known as Sabra, who served as a Mossad agent. Some who are pro-Israel have an issue with changing the character’s allegiance to a U.

The organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest (Esc) have introduced a new director role following an independent report into this year’s competition. It has also been recommended the contest, which is organized by the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu), appoint a welfare producer to ensure contestants’ wellbeing.

The new Esc director will report to the Ebu’s deputy director general and media director Jean Philip De Tender. They will also oversee the show’s executive supervisor Martin Österdahl. The new director, who has not yet been appointed, will also oversee another new role, the head of Esc brand and commercial, which is also yet to be recruited.

In an interview with Variety about the report, De Tender said that the Ebu will now consult its experts and members to determine whether the contest will appoint a welfare producer or implement some other way of supporting the welfare of contestants.

“The...

It speaks to the turmoil of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest that in the days after its end, the winner seems to be an afterthought and instead, the focus remains on the divisive nature of the competition.

Nonbinary singer Nemo won with their track “The Code,” totting up an enormous 591 points from a combination of juries in each participating country and the worldwide public. Croatia placed second with 547 points at the event in Malmö, Sweden, after thrilling viewers with an upbeat hit. Ukraine came in third with 453 points. Rounding out the top five were France (445 points) and Israel (375 points).

But it was a Eurovision that organizers might be in a hurry to forget. Reports of unrest among the contestants and country delegations ran amok on social media. Rumors of entrants missing rehearsals, flags being pulled down and claims of misconduct backstage hugely disrupted the usually peppy Eurovision build-up. The...

Dutch musician Joost Klein was disqualified from the Eurovision music contest on Saturday after an alleged intimidation incident. A female production crew member reported Klein to Swedish police after Klein’s performance in the Thursday semi-final.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, released a statement. “While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest,” it said. “We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.”

“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules.”

Dutch television company Avrotros shared Joost’s side of the story,...

On Saturday night, nonbinary Swiss rapper Nemo won the iconic Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden.

The coronation happened just hours after Irish Eurovision contestant Bambie Thug called to disqualify Israeli singer Eden Golan from the music competition. Organizers moved Golan and Israel’s delegation into a separate room after facing criticism from pro-Palestine activists.

Pro-Palestine protesters held demonstrations in Malmö, Sweden, where the competition was held. Israel’s participation in the music competition sparked criticism and controversy after over 30,000 Palestinians have been in the ongoing Gaza war after a surprise attack by Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis.

During Golan’s performance, Bambie Thug claimed Israeli commentators violated the contest’s rules. The singer did not file an official complaint against Golan to be disqualified. Golan and Bambie Thug were separated as Bambie Thug was said to be “mad at Israel.”

“I’m angry with other teams breaching their rules of...

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest winner has been crowned. On Saturday, the annual music event came to a close with Switzerland’s Nemo taking the top prize for their performance of “The Code.”

Nemo bested Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, a favorite to win, with his song, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” — he came in second place. Ukraine was third, followed by France and Israel.

The lead-up to the tense grand final included some controversy: Mere hours before the winner was to be crowned, Netherland’s Joost Klein was ousted after the singer...

Swiss performer Nemo has won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, beating Croatian artist Baby Lasagna, who finished second, in what was perhaps the most divisive competition in its history.

The nonbinary singer, representing Switzerland, won with their track “The Code” collecting 591 points from a combination of music industry juries in each participating country and the global public. Croatia placed second with 547 points at the event in Malmö, Sweden and Ukraine third with 453 points. Rounding out the top five were France and Israel with 445 and 375 points, respectively.

Eurovision was back and supplied everything fans are used to seeing on Europe’s most eccentric music night of the year: corset-clad dancers in knee-high leather boots puckering up for the Spanish “Kylie Minogue,” Ireland‘s horned goth gremlin scream-singing a dark tale of witchcraft and some crafty camerawork masking the genitals of Finnish entrant Windows95Man (his denim shorts were swiftly delivered onstage by...

Thousands took to the streets in Malmö, Sweden to protest the Israel-Hamas war and the decision to allow Israel’s contestant Eden Golan to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest and its Saturday final. Some estimates said there were more than 15,000 protesters, though police pegged the demonstration at between 6,000 and 8,000 demonstrators. Israel and Golan ended up finishing in fifth place, with Switzerland ultimately taking home the victory, though Israel took a brief lead with a strong showing in the fan vote as the votes were announced.

In video shared on social media, protesters chanted “We will crush Zionism” and “There’s only one solution — Intifada revolution.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) wearing the keffiyeh scarf is removed by police during a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Malmo Arena venue ahead of the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest (Getty Images)

Protestors in Malmö include Greta Thunberg, who previously...

Switzerland has won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, which took place Saturday evening in Malmo, Sweden.

Switzerland’s Nemo won with 591 points for their song “The Code,” coming ahead of Croatia in second place and Ukraine in third.

This year’s wooden spoon for last place in the Contest went to Norway, with 16 points.

Israel, whose entry has been the subject of continuing controversy, came fifth. While the country’s entry Eden Golan was received with some boos in the arena when she performed her song “Hurricane,” she also got the benefit of cheers. She received 52 points from the national juries, and then earned a huge 323 points from the popular vote across Europe.

Ukraine also won an impressive 307 points from the popular vote. In

Equally controversial was Portugal’s singer Lolanda, who ended her performance with “Peace will prevail” while viewers noted her nails were painted with the Palestinian Keffiyeh.

Switzerland has won the Eurovision Song Contest.

Swiss entry Nemo stormed the contest with the song “The Code,” walking away with 591 points — a combination of a jury vote and public vote.

But during Nemo’s victory performance at the end of the four-hour show the singer accidentally dropped the microphone-shaped glass trophy, injuring their thumb in the process.

“I didn’t just break ‘The Code’ I also broke the trophy,” said Nemo during the press conference after the show, where their hand was wrapped in a bandage. “I broke my thumb as well. But I got a new [trophy] so I technically have two now.”

The non-binary singer — who is the first Swiss Eurovision winner since Celine Dion won in 1988 — was presented with the trophy by last year’s winner, Swedish singer Loreen.

Croatian entry Baby Lasagna came in second with 547 points during the 2024 contest followed by Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona...

Plenty of tension has surrounded this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, with much of it centered around the inclusion of Israeli performer Eden Golan and her song “Hurricane.” Golan’s performances in the days ahead of Saturday night’s final were met with a healthy amount of booing from audience members opposed to the Israeli-Hamas war — and many fans have accused the show’s organizers of using anti-booing measures to drown out the sound of boos during the finals.

In a video shared by @willthefirst, boos are easy to hear as Golan took the stage Saturday night. He wrote, “A reminder that what you’re seeing on TV for Israel is not representative of what people Actually think #Eurovision.”

A reminder that what you’re seeing on TV for Israel is not representative of what people Actually think #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/9D65ktD36w

— Will (@willthefirst) May 11, 2024

An even...

Update: Activist Greta Thunberg has reportedly been removed from the protest outside the Malmö arena. She was pictured wearing a Keffiyeh scarf while being escorted away from the protest. It is unclear whether there was an arrest. She was previously quoted as condemning Israel’s participation in the competition as “artwashing.”

Other protesters outside the event were chanting “Shame on you” at attendees arriving at the arena.

Earlier: A crowd of protesters estimated by authorities at up to 10,000 took to the streets of Malmö, Sweden on Saturday, calling for an end to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest being held tonight in the city.

Swedish police held back the crowd, who demanded that Israeli Eurovision contestant Eden Golan be removed from the final.

Golan is representing Israel with the song Hurricane. It was originally titled October Rain in reference to the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Golan is...

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is now right on our doorstep. Organized by the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu), the Eurovision Song Contest is the most famous, extravagant music competition in existence with various European countries competing to be crowned the year’s winner and host the next year’s competition.

Before the grand final, however, two semi-finals take place. The top 10 in each semi-final then go through to the final, where they are joined by the host country (the winner of the previous year) and the Big Five — who all qualify automatically. Then, each country performs and vies for votes.

After the performances, every member of the Ebu dials in and dishes out 1-8, 10, and 12 points to their favorite songs – with the points decided via a combination of public votes and jury decisions in each country. Whichever country amasses the most points wins.

The two semi-finals took place earlier this week on May 7 and May 9, respectively,...

Dutch Eurovision contestant Joost Klein has been disqualified ahead of the competition’s Grand Final on Saturday night.

The performer was sent home after an allegation of intimidation was made to Swedish police by a female member of the production crew.

In a statement, the organizers of the event said: “While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest. We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.

“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.”

Dutch broadcaster Avrtotros called the disqualification...

Hours before the Eurovision Song Contest’s finals, the singer representing the Netherlands was kicked out of the competition due to a backstage incident with a crew member.

The Netherlands’ Joost Klein had qualified for Saturday’s finals following his performance of the song “Europapa” at Thursday’s semifinals, but was absent at Friday’s rehearsal, leading to speculation that he had been ousted from the competition.

On Saturday, Eurovision producers the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu) confirmed that Klein had been disqualified from the competition after a female production crew...

The Netherlands will not be represented in this evening’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final after their artist Joost Klein was disqualified.

The European Broadcasting Union released a statement Saturday morning saying the Dutch artist, previously one of the breakout stars of this year’s Contest with his song ‘Europapa’, would not be allowed to compete in this evening’s Final in Malmo, Sweden.

The statement from the Ebu said: “It would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest” while the legal process takes place.”

The BBC reports that Klein has been sent home after an allegation of intimidation was made to Swedish police by a female member of the production crew. They quote the reaction of Dutch broadcaster Avrtotros, saying the decision was “disproportionate” and that they are “shocked by the decision.”

Klein is being investigated by Swedish police after an altercation between him and a photographer,...

The fate of The Netherlands’ Eurovision entry lies in the balance, after the Dutch representative failed to perform in Friday evening’s jury final.

Eurovoix News reports that artist Joost Klein is under investigation for an incident that took place off-stage, and was prevented from performing on Friday while this was ongoing. Klein has not been disqualified, and a video of his performance from Thursday evening’s semi-final was used instead.

The European Broadcasting Union has released a statement, saying:

“The investigation into the incident with the Dutch artist in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is still ongoing. Discussions are also taking place between the Ebu and Avrotros, the Dutch participating broadcaster.

“While the investigation continues the Ebu has decided that Joost Klein will not perform during Dress Rehearsal 2 of the competition which is voted on by juries in the 37 participating countries.

“His performance from Semi Final 2 will be used instead.

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, is almost upon us with 37 countries hoping to claim bragging rights at this year’s grand final on May 11. This is the 68th edition of the international competition. Previously, 27 countries have emerged as victors at least once with Ireland and last year’s winners Sweden coming out on tops with a joint record of seven victories. France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the UK, which hosted last year after the 2022 winner, Ukraine, couldn’t host due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, have five wins each.

Israel have won four times while Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Ukraine have won three times each. Austria, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland have won twice. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Monaco, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia have all won once.

There will be 26 countries who will feature in the May 11 final. Last year’s winner, Sweden, qualify...

Eden Golan, Israel’s entrant for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, was booed during rehearsals Thursday, with the crowd in Malmö, Sweden, chanting “Free Palestine” during the singer’s performance.

Ahead of the Eurovision semifinal, Golan was performing her song “Hurricane” when sections of the crowd turned on her and the jeering began. In video clips posted to social media, audible boos can be heard during Golan’s rehearsal, with local media reporting that there were also political chants.

Crowd reaction as Israel takes to the stage in Malmo

Largely cheers and applause at first – but boos get loud as singer Eden Golan begins performing #Eurovision2024

Very very mixed response here in the arena pic.twitter.com/WwrVInxMat

— Jack Parker (@JackParkr) May 9, 2024

Outside the Eurovision venue in Malmö, a city long considered within Sweden as left-leaning with a rich history of protest, there have been ongoing demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza this week.

Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday evening, as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the host city of Malmo, Sweden, to protest against the country’s participation in the competition.

The Israeli entry Eden Golan was booed during a rehearsal of her song Hurricane on Wednesday, but she was greeted with cheers – if not quite as euphoric as for some other acts – during Thursday evening’s semi-final, and was voted through to Saturday’s Grand Final.

The Jerusalem Post reports that, prior to the second semi-final, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Golan good luck in a video.

In his statement, Netanyahu said, “Eden, I want to wish you success, but you have already succeeded. You not only face Eurovision n a proud and impressive way, but you successfully face a wave of anti-semitism while standing and representing the State of Israel with respect.”

The BBC reports that 12,000 people,...

After much controversy surrounding whether Israel should be allowed to compete in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, their entry received boos during a dress rehearsal for the competition’s semi-finals.

Israel contestant Eden Golan, who is performing the song “Hurricane” as the country’s entry, began the rehearsal as normal — but shortly after she began, the crowd erupted in boos, with several audience members shouting “Free Palestine.” Despite the reception they garnered, Israel will continue with their performance of “Hurricane” for the second leg of the competition’s semi-finals, which take place this evening in Sweden. Watch clips of the rehearsal below.

Israel’s participation in the competition has been opposed by many groups — both in the host country Sweden and abroad — due to their ongoing military decimation of the Gaza Strip. Fellow Eurovision performers have also condemned the decision to include Israel, including Ireland entrant and confirmed finalist Bambie Thug...

The world’s largest live music contest is back. The Eurovision Song Contest, a springboard to fame for some of the biggest acts in the world – legendary Swedish band Abba, or more recently, Italian glam rock band Måneskin, for example – will return to screens on Saturday, May 11, to do what it does best: providing the most eccentric performances Europe has to offer.

From perfectly garish outfits and heartfelt ballads to synchronized dance numbers and heavy metal guitar solos, the event is set to feature the wackiest of the continent’s music scene as thousands of fans flock to the Malmö Arena.

Sweden became host after its homegrown star Loreen triumphed last year in Liverpool, England.

But this year’s Contest – like in 2023, where Ukraine was forced to pass hosting privileges onto the U.K. – is one backdropped by war. However, the threat of mass boycott has not, to the outrage of some,...

With all due respect to “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and “The Masked Singer,” the biggest singing competition in the world doesn’t involve turning chairs, secret celebrities, or Ryan Seacrest (although some of the costumes could rival those on “The Masked Singer”), instead, it is taking place in Malmö, Sweden this week as the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will look to crown a new champion. Peacock will broadcast three days of the festivities, starting with the first semifinal on Tuesday, May 7 at 3 p.m. Et. The week will culminate with the Grand Final on Saturday, May 11 at 3 p.m. Et. You can watch with a subscription to Peacock.

How to Watch 2024 Eurovision Song Contest When: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 3:00 Pm Edt Where: Peacock Stream: Watch with a subscription to Peacock. Sign Up$5.99+ / month peacocktv.com About 2024 Eurovision Song Contest

Thanks to Loreen’s win last year with her original song “Tattoo,...

With all due respect to “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and “The Masked Singer,” the biggest singing competition in the world doesn’t involve turning chairs, secret celebrities, or Ryan Seacrest (although some of the costumes could rival those on “The Masked Singer”), instead, it is taking place in Malmö, Sweden this week as the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will look to crown a new champion. Peacock will broadcast three days of the festivities, starting with the first semifinal on Tuesday, May 7 at 3 p.m. Et. The week will culminate with the Grand Final on Saturday, May 11 at 3 p.m. Et. You can watch with a subscription to Peacock.

How to Watch 2024 Eurovision Song Content When: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 3:00 Pm Edt Where: Peacock Stream: Watch with a subscription to Peacock. Sign Up$5.99+ / month peacocktv.com About 2024 Eurovision Song Content

Thanks to Loreen’s win last year with her original song “Tattoo,...

Sweden is on high alert and security is being tightened in its third largest city Malmo, ahead of next week’s Eurovision Song Contest.

100,000 extra visitors expected to the city over the week of festivities. BBC News quotes Malmo police chief Petra Stenkula, who said the whole country was already “on a terror level of four out of five.”

The website reports that Malmo will see one of the country’s biggest ever policing efforts, with extra personnel drafted in from across Sweden, as well as neighbouring Denmark and Norway. Swedish police are normally armed. And it cites a Swedish internal police report which described the country as “a priority target for violent jihadist groups,” and cited risks of unrest, cyber attacks and broadcast disruption.

Large demonstrations are scheduled outside the venue, to be attended by those slamming Israel’s participation this year, in context of the nation’s actions in Gaza.

A group of artists set to perform in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest — including England’s Olly Alexander — issued a statement defending their participation amid calls to boycott Israel’s presence in this year’s competition.

In recent weeks, groups ranging from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to Queers for Palestine — which specifically called on Alexander, who previously said Israel was an “apartheid state,” to withdraw — have sought to have Israel expelled from Eurovision over the continued conflict in Gaza.

In a statement Friday (via...

In a sign that the Eurovision Song Contest is becoming ever more political as we head towards the competition in May, a London cinema has announced that it will not be screening the Grand Final unless Israel is banned from taking part.

The Rio Cinema in East London, which has screened the Contest on previous occasions and speaks of a longstanding relationship with Eurovision Party London, wrote on social media Saturday:

“… we have collectively decided not to screen the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest while Israel remains in the competition.

“The Eurovision Party London has been a beloved partner of The Rio Cinema for many years, and we will continue to work with them in the future.

“We firmly believe that the Eurovision Song Contest has the power to bring people together across the world, and when its core values of inclusivity, equality and universality are upheld, it...

Israel’s Eurovision team have struggled to create a non-political song against the background of strong international feeling over the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Israeli entry for this year’s contest came under intense scrutiny when the lyrics of its original offering October Rain were analysed, and considered too political for the rules set by the determinedly apolitical Contest’s organisers.

Now performer Eden Golan has adapted the song with new lyrics and new title, Hurricane, but The Times of London reports that her team has been challenged in finding the middle way between adhering to Contest rules and keeping the Israeli public happy.

They quote one anonymous team insider saying: “We’ve tried our best to bring a neutral song. We have pressure from the [Israeli] public to write something that speaks the truth. But the world and the Ebu want us not to speak up.”

The source points out...

Israel’s public broadcaster has reversed its previous stance and will request an alteration of lyrics to a song under consideration for this year’s Eurovision competition.

The European Broadcasting Union (Ebu), which organizes Eurovision, was reportedly preparing to bar the song last week for breaking rules on political neutrality in song lyrics. Artist Eden Golan’s Israel entry, October Rain, contains what could be deemed references to Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

Israeli broadcaster Kan, which will determine which song enters Eurovision for the country, pledged last week that it wouldn’t request any alteration of the lyrics. But Israel’s President Isaac Herzog today called for “necessary adjustments” to ensure Israel can enter the show.

Kan issued a statement on Sunday saying it had asked the lyricists of both songs under consideration to “readapt the texts, while preserving their artistic freedom.” It is also reportedly considering a song called Dance Forever.

Eurovision organizers are swiftly “scrutinizing” the lyrics of Israel’s 2024 entry amidst question marks over their political nature.

The European Broadcasting Union (Ebu) said it is “in the process” of examining the lyrics to the song from Israeli performer Eden Golan titled ‘October Rain.’

Israeli broadcaster Kan has said it has no intention of changing the song even though there are still three weeks until the final submission date.

Political messages are forbidden from Eurovision and have led to songs being banned in the past such as Georgia’s 2009 entry.

The “October Rain” lyrics, which Kan confirmed are correct when they were leaked to the media earlier this week, include: “They were all good children, each one of them,” and, “There’s no air left to breathe,” along with a reference to “flowers,” an Israeli slang term for fallen soldiers.

The Ebu may deem that they are a politicized reference...

Gene Simmons, Sharon Osbourne, and Boy George are among the celebrities who have signed an open letter rejecting a movement to prevent Israel from competing in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

The annual Eurovision song contest welcomes different nations to compete, and includes countries outside of Europe, including Israel and Australia, among others. There have been calls from artists from countries such as Sweden and Finland demanding Israel’s exclusion from the contest due to the latter’s current military action in Gaza.

Last month, a letter was issued on behalf of more than 1,000 Swedish artists — signed by music acts like Robyn, First Aid Kit, and Fever Ray — reading in part, “Allowing Israel’s participation undermines not only the spirit of the competition but the entire public service mission. It also sends the signal that governments can commit war crimes without consequences. Therefore, we appeal to the Ebu: Exclude Israel from...

Scooter Braun, Emmy Rossum and Helen Mirren are among 400 celebrities and industry executives who’ve signed an open letter supporting Israel’s inclusion in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Although there has been no suggestion the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual singing competition, has any intention of barring Israel from the event, the open letter has been published in response to a handful of fringe voices calling for a ban.

Other signatories to the letter include “The Big Bang Theory” star Mayim Bialik, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, “Once Upon a Time” actor Ginnifer Goodwin and “Ray Donovan” lead Liev Schreiber, among hundreds of others. Industry figures also include Saban CEO Haim Saban, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz and WME partner David Levy.

Organized by industry body Creative Community For Peace, the letter states: “We believe that unifying events such as singing competitions...