Israel has qualified for the Eurovision grand final following a public vote.
During Thursday’s second semi-final, viewers from competing countries voted for the Israeli singer Eden Golan as one of the 10 entries to progress to the final.
The organisers of the contest, which takes place in Malmö, Sweden, this year, took issue with Israel's original entry, October Rain, which referenced the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing conflict with Palestine. As a result, the original song was banned by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for breaking rules on political neutrality.
The lyrics have now been reworked, and the title renamed Hurricane.
Earlier in the day, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters walked across the streets of Malmö, from Stortorget to Molleplatsen, to show their support for Gaza and condemn Israel taking part in Eurovision amid the war in the Gaza Strip.
An open letter to the EBU called for Israel’s withdrawal from the contest in May. It was signed by more than 1,000 Swedish artists, including the likes of Robyn, as well as European Parliament members and politicians from Spain’s left-wing Podemos party.
“The fact that countries that place themselves above humanitarian law are welcomed to participate in international cultural events trivialises violations of international law and makes the suffering of the victims invisible,” the letter reads.
It adds: “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.”
However, the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Boy George, and Gene Simmons have all supported the contest's decision to allow Israel to participate.
But what was changed in Israel's Eurovision song?
Israel's Eurovision song, Hurricane, explained
Israel has now shared an alternate version of the song that was said to have broken rules on political neutrality, titled Hurricane.
The original lyrics in question “and I promise you that never again / I’m still wet from this October rain” have now been changed to: “Baby, promise me you’ll hold me again / I’m still broken from this hurricane”.
Another controversial lyric, “They were all good children, each one of them,” has also been changed.
The lyrics are now as follows:
Writer of my symphonyPlay with meLook into my eyes and seePeople walk away but never say goodbye
Someone stole the moon tonightTook my lightEverything is black and whiteWho's the fool who told you boys don't cry?
Hours and hours, empowersLife is no game, but it's oursWhile the time goes wild
Every day, I'm losin' my mindHoldin' on in this mysterious rideDancin' in the storm, I got nothin' to hideTake it all and leave the world behindBaby, promise me you'll hold me againI'm still broken from this hurricaneThis hurricane
Livin' in a fantasyEcstasyEverything is meant to beWe shall pass, but love will never die, mm
Hours and hours, empowersLife is no game, but it's oursWhile the time goes wild
Every day, I'm losin' my mindHoldin' on in this mysterious rideDancin' in the storm, I got nothin' to hideTake it all and leave the world behindBaby, promise me you'll hold me againI'm still broken from this hurricaneThis hurricane
This hurricane
