ISRAEL is to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in a move which has attracted plenty of controversy.
Eden Golan will be the representative for Israel with her track Hurricane, which was reworked from the original entry October Rain after it was alleged to include references to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
After taking to the stage on Wednesday night during the Jury Show, Golan was booed off the stage as the crowd chanted “free Palestine”.
So, why are people boycotting this year’s event and what have organisers said?
Why are people boycotting Eurovision?
Many fans have been calling for a ban on Israel taking part in this year’s competition amid its bombardment of the Gaza strip.
More than 34,000 Palestinians have now been killed since October with a further 77,000 people injured.
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Protests are set to take place at the semi-final over Israel’s involvement while demonstrators also gathered across Scotland last month to put pressure on the BBC not to broadcast the event.
Prior to the 2024 contest, Israel had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 45 times since its first entry in 1973.
Organisers behind the event, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), previously banned Russia from competing following the invasion of Ukraine.
What has the EBU said?
Thus far, the EBU has defended its decision to permit Israel to take part and rejected comparisons made with Russia.
Speaking on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the deputy director general of the EBU Jean Philip De Tender said: “I fully agree it is a family event and the great thing about this music competition is that it’s all about values.
“It’s about uniting onstage all of these young talents, these participants, and they do great. It’s about diversity and inclusion.
"But there are competition rules and you need to follow the competition rules and take decisions based on these competition rules.
“If you were to exclude Kan (the Israeli broadcaster) outside of these competition rules, that would have been a political decision, as such, which we cannot take.”
What has the EBU said about Palestine?
Organisers have long banned most flags and signs from the contest – the only exceptions are participants’ national flags and the Pride flag, meaning Palestinian flags won’t be allowed into the venue.
In April meanwhile, it issued a statement condemning “abuse or harassment” directed at participants.
“The EBU recognises the strong emotions stirred by this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and the intense debate sparked by the inclusion of an Israeli entry,” the statement said.
“We would like to stress that any decisions regarding participation are the responsibility of the EBU’s governing bodies, not the individual artists.
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“We are firmly against any form of abuse or harassment directed at participants, online or offline, and are committed to fostering a sae, respectful and inclusive environment.
“We advocate for constructive dialogue and support for the artists, underlining the Contest’s mission to be united by music.”
However, Irish Eurovision finalist Bambie Thug said they were forced to alter a pro-Palestine message calling for a ceasefire.
And, Eric Saade, who opened Tuesday night's semi-final, wore a traditional headdress in support of Palestine during his performance.
The EBU said it "regrets" that Saade chose to wear the material and "chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event".
What has the UK’s entry said?
Olly Alexander (below) has been selected as this year’s representative for the UK.
The organisation Queers for Palestine circulated a letter, signed thousands, calling for the performer to pull out the show.
He has described some of the comments he and other participants have faced as “very extreme”.
Alexander said: "A lot of the contestants and myself have been having a lot of comments that are like 'You are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision' which is quite extreme. It's very extreme.
"I understand where that sentiment is coming from but I think it's not correct. It's an incredibly complicated political situation, one that I'm not qualified to speak on.
"The backdrop to this is actual immense suffering. It's a humanitarian crisis, a war. It just so happens there's a song contest going on at the same time that I'm a part of."
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