Prior to the 2024 contest, Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest forty-five times since its first entry in 1973.[2] Israel has won the contest on four occasions: in 1978 with the song "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" performed by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, in 1979 with the song "Hallelujah" performed by Milk and Honey, in 1998 with the song "Diva" performed by Dana International and in 2018 with the song "Toy" performed by Netta Barzilai. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, Israel has, to this point, managed to qualify to the final 12 times, achieving, besides its 2018 victory, four top ten results: in 2005 with Shiri Maimon and "Hasheket Shenish'ar" placing fourth, in 2008 with Boaz and "The Fire in Your Eyes" placing ninth, in 2015 with Nadav Guedj and "Golden Boy" placing ninth, and in 2023 with Noa Kirel and "Unicorn" placing third.[2]
The Israeli national broadcaster, Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan), has been in charge of the nation's participation in the contest since 2018. On 5 June 2023, Kan confirmed Israel's participation in the 2024 contest, announcing that the Israeli entrant would return to be selected through the reality singing competition Rising Star, which had been used between 2015 and 2020.[3]
Preliminary casting rounds started in late July 2023[4][5] and ended on 10 September 2023 at Pavillion 2 of Expo Tel Aviv (Eurovision Song Contest 2019 venue), where candidates were judged based on an a cappella performance of two songs of their choice.[6][7]
Shows and impact of the Israel–Hamas war
Qualifiers from the preliminary casting phase proceeded to the auditions proper, held in Jerusalem and originally set to be filmed in the presence of an audience from late September or early October 2023 and to begin airing in November 2023.[4][5][8] However, following the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war on 7 October 2023, filming for the competition was initially postponed in compliance with the Home Front Command's protection guidelines,[8][9] eventually beginning without an audience in the week between 16 and 22 October, with the broadcasts initially scheduled to start on 31 October.[10][11][12] The audience vote, which was set to determine 40% of the result alongside the judges, was replaced by the votes of a focus group.[10][12]
On 31 October 2023, when it was planned to air, the broadcast of the first episode was postponed in order to commemorate two soldiers who had been killed in combat earlier that day.[13][14] The decision to air the show in such circumstances was criticised by Israeli audiences and media,[15][16] and the broadcasts were ultimately rescheduled to start on 20 November.[17][18] The second show, scheduled for 22 November,[19] was postponed to make room for a governmental press conference regarding a deal negotiated that day for the release of hostages held by Hamas;[20] broadcasting resumed on 2 December.[21][22] Segments from the opening of the casting round of 10 September were included in the televised shows.[6][7]
The audition shows also included segments in support of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the very first contestant Shai Tamino, a member of the Education and Youth Corps band, performed wearing military fatigues;[17][19] this led some Eurovision fan media outlets to begin limiting their coverage of Israel's participation in the 2024 contest, on the grounds that it clashes with the non-political and pacifist values traditionally associated with the event.[a]
Auditions
Candidates were required to get a score of at least 70% of the votes from the judges and a focus group in order to advance.
The following phase, aired in segments on 31 December 2023, consisted of a shortlisting round, where the artists receiving a "yes" vote from all six judges automatically qualified and the others were chosen among those who had received four or five "yes" votes. 14 artists were shortlisted, namely Lian Biran, Eden Golan, Arik Sinai, Yehuda Saado, Shai Tamino, Ido Bartal, Mika Moshe, Jonathan Bitton, Mika Kertis, Dor Shimon, Or Cohen, Gal Kafri, Moria Angel and Orel Ravid.[37]
Top 14 round
In the top 14 round, the votes of the judges and an audience determined one contestant to be eliminated from each show, ultimately coming down to the top five. In each of the first two shows and in the sixth show, the artist to be eliminated was the one getting the lowest overall score. In the third, fourth, seventh and ninth show, the artists were paired in duels, with the winners directly qualifying to the next round; the judges then selected one eliminee per show among the others. In the fifth show, the artists were coupled to perform duets, with the eliminee selected between the lowest scoring duo. In the eighth show, each contestant performed a duet with a surprise guest artist.
In the first show of the semi-final, the votes of the judges and the audience determined one qualifier to the final. In the second show, the remaining four artists performed, and one of them left the competition.
The final took place on 6 February 2024 and was divided in a duel round, eliminating one finalist, and a superfinal among the remaining three artists, determing the winner. On 5 February, a special broadcast was aired featuring performances by guest artists and the finalists, each of whom announced which song they would perform in the first round of the final; a public vote, held via the Mako app and determining 10% of the results of the first round, was opened on the same day.[49]Noa Kirel made a guest performance during the show. In the superfinal, a 50/50 combination of jury and public votes selected Eden Golan as the winner.[50]
The song that Eden Golan will perform in the contest was internally selected by a professional committee. On 16 January 2024, Kan and Keshet opened a window for specially selected songwriters to submit their entries until 11 February; submissions were required to include lyrics in Hebrew.[51][52] Golan also had the option to submit her own entry.[50] The selected entry, titled "Hurricane", was revealed on 10 March during a special broadcast on Kan 11, aired from the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv and hosted by Lior Suchard.[53][54][55]
Controversy
On 19 February 2024, a report by Israel Hayom claimed that the proposed entry for the contest was being written by Avi Ohayon [he], Keren Peles, and Stav Beger, with it most likely being titled "October Rain".[56] On 21 February, a report by Ynet claimed that the EBU had rejected the entry on the grounds of political content in its lyrics, but that Kan was not planning to change the song or its content.[57] Kan and the EBU later addressed this report, stating that the song was being examined, and that if it does not meet the criteria, Kan would be given the opportunity to alter the lyrics or submit a new entry by 11 March.[58][59] However, Kan added that if it was asked to change the contents of the song, it would not do so, and be forced to withdraw from the contest. Miki Zohar, Culture and Sports Minister of Israel, called the intention of the EBU to reject the song "scandalous", and "called on the European Broadcasting Union to continue to act professionally and neutrally and not to let politics influence art";[60] he later expressed his support for the song to be altered in order to meet the criteria for the contest.[61]
On 22 February 2024, Kan published the lyrics of "October Rain".[62] Earlier that day, leaks by Israel Hayom and Ynet described the song as a ballad that builds up to a climax, referencing "the condition of Israeli civilians" in the 7 October attack and also alluding to the Re'im music festival massacre.[63][64] On 28 February, Ynet reported that the song that finished second in the internal selection, "Dance Forever", written by Golan alongside Ron Biton [he], May Sfadia, and Yinon Yahel, had also been rejected by the EBU,[65] On 3 March, Kan officially confirmed that it had submitted both "October Rain" and "Dance Forever" to the EBU for consideration, and that both had been rejected by the EBU in their current state. Despite previous statements, Kan ultimately asked the writers of both songs to "make the necessary adjustments" in order for them to be eligible,[53] and announced that the final intended entry, "Hurricane" (reported to be a revision of "October Rain" with changed lyrics), had been recorded later that day.[54][66] However, the song's writers were reportedly asked to rewrite its lyrics again,[67] and the final version was submitted two days later.[55] The EBU gave its approval for the song on 7 March.[68]
The ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip led to calls for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from taking part in the 2024 contest, with human rights activists urging other countries to boycott the event.[69][70] Despite this, Israel ultimately appeared on the list of participants released by the EBU on 5 December 2023.[71] On 8 December, the EBU issued a statement maintaining that Kan "complies with all competition rules", allowing it to participate in 2024.[72][73] The situation has sparked controversy in a number of participating countries:
Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Greece and Denmark – Charlo Halvorsen [no], head of entertainment at Norwegian broadcaster NRK, stated that by the time the list was published they had not taken an official position on the matter and were following the EBU's decisions;[74][75] he was followed by Swedish broadcaster SVT, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS and Greek broadcaster ERT, with the latter's head of communications Dora Chiraki specifying its openness to discussing the matter in the event that another broadcaster formally requested the EBU to exclude Israel.[76][77][78] In January 2024, Halvorsen ultimately commented that NRK would not seek a "cultural boycott" of Israel in order not to "compromise [its] integrity".[79][80] Shortly after, Gustav Lützhøft, head of culture, children and youth at Danish broadcaster DR, stated that it would support Israel's participation, citing the complexity and longstanding nature of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[81][82] Demonstrations and petitions calling for a boycott have occurred in Norway,[83][84] Sweden,[85] and Denmark.[86] In addition, in April 2024, three authors for NRK's annual Eurovision review refused to write it for 2024, demanding that the broadcaster pressure the EBU to exclude Israel from the contest.[87][88]
Iceland – On 9 December 2023, Stefán Eiríksson [is], the radio director of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV, stated that the country would still participate in the 2024 contest.[89] In response, the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) and activists of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement sent formal requests that RÚV withdraw from the event unless Israel is excluded "on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition", stressing on human rights violations on the Israeli part;[90][91][92] the Icelandic branch of OGAE joined the calls.[93] RÚV then chose to hold its national competition, Söngvakeppnin2024, as usual, and then let the winner decide whether to participate in Eurovision.[94][95] Eventual Söngvakeppnin winner Hera Björk stated that she would participate in Eurovision prior to the final.[96] RÚV confirmed on 11 March that it would participate, with Hera Björk as its representative.[97] RÚV's commentator for the contest, Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, opted not to resume his role for 2024 in response to the EBU's "lack of reaction" to Israel's offensive in Gaza.[98]
Ireland – By mid-December 2023, Irish broadcaster RTÉ had received over 465 emails similarly urging it to boycott the event if Israel is permitted to compete, accusing the Israeli government of using it to portray the country in a positive light "despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine"; RTÉ responded by stating that it had always approached the event as "a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together", arguing that no other broadcaster had expressed the intention to boycott it.[99] On 25 December, TaoiseachLeo Varadkar stated his opposition to the calls.[100] In mid-January 2024, he was followed by Michael Kealy, the head of the Irish delegation for the contest, who maintained that Kan, as a broadcaster independent from the Israeli government, should not be barred from competing; he stated that he would "go along" with any decision the EBU would make.[101]
Finland – On 19 December 2023, Finnish broadcaster Yle's head of creative content and media Ville Vilén [fi] stated that the broadcaster had discussed the Israel–Hamas war situation with other Nordic broadcasters and monitored the EBU's stance, while also commenting that the war is not comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[102] The following day, Yle posted through the Instagram account of its Eurovision national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) that, while UMK would be held regardless of Finland's participation in Eurovision, the broadcaster was "closely following the situation in the Middle East" and holding discussions with the EBU and other Nordic broadcasters.[103][104] In January 2024, a petition was signed by Finnish music industry professionals demanding the broadcaster to withdraw or pressure for Israel to be excluded, arguing that the country might use the contest as a platform to "polish its image" from human rights violations it commits;[105][106] later that month, Yle stated that it would not oppose Israel's participation for the time being.[107]
Spain – Opposing earlier declarations by María Eizaguirre [es], head of communications of Spanish broadcaster RTVE, that it would follow the EBU's stance,[108] on 1 February 2024, Spanish left-wing party Podemos submitted a proposal to the Congress of Deputies in order for the government and RTVE to lobby against the inclusion of Israel in the contest and urge other countries to do the same;[109][110] contextually, a petition was promoted within RTVE by Roberto Lakidain, representative of Podemos in the broadcaster's board of directors, requesting that Spain withdraw from the event.[111]
Slovenia – Following public calls in the country for the exclusion of Israel, on 7 February 2024, Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO asked the EBU to hold extensive discussions with its member broadcasters regarding Israeli participation.[112][113] As of 1 March 2024,[update] no response from the union has been received.[114]
Belgium – In early March 2024, interrogated by Alice Bernard [fr; nl], group leader of the Workers' Party of Belgium at the Parliament of Wallonia, Walloon minister of culture and media Bénédicte Linard [fr; nl] announced that she would formally request local broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium's participation in 2024) to push for the exclusion of Israel from the contest, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the exclusion of Russia in 2022; her Flemish counterpart Benjamin Dalle expressed support for the reasoning.[115][116] In mid-April, a letter was signed by workers of the Belgian cultural sector demanding that the EBU, RTBF and Flemish broadcaster VRT "take the warnings of the International Court of Justice seriously", "make a statement against the genocide" and bar Israel from competing; VRT commented that it followed the EBU's stance, while RTBF did not respond.[117]
United Kingdom – In protest against the EBU's approval of the Israeli entry, the organisers of the Eurovision Party London screening event at Rio Cinema decided to cancel its 2024 edition; this drew criticism by the British National Jewish Assembly and the EBU's response reiterating that Eurovision "is not a contest between governments".[118]
On 9 April 2024, the EBU released a statement by deputy director-general Jean Philip De Tender addressing "targeted social media campaigns" against participating artists, reportedly over the insufficient pressure put on the union to exclude Israel. De Tender stated that the inclusion of a country in the contest "is the sole responsibility of the EBU's governing bodies and not that of the individual artists", condemning abuse or harassment directed at the performers while also defending the rationale whereby Kan had been allowed to take part. A FAQ page on Israel's participation was additionally created on the official website of the contest.[132][133]
Historical precedence
The EBU's decision to maintain Israel as a participant has been compared to its decision to exclude Russia in 2022 following protests by several participating broadcasters – including the aforementioned NRK, SVT, AVROTROS, DR, RÚV and Yle – over the country's invasion of Ukraine, with some accusing the EBU of "hypocrisy" and exhibiting "double standards".[g]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the EBU split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[139] At the request of Kan, Israel was allocated to the second semi-final as the rehearsal date for the first one coincides with Yom HaShoah;[140] the country was drawn to perform in the second half of the show.[141] The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Israel was set to perform in position 14, following the entry from Estonia and before the entry from Norway.[142]
Eden Golan will take part in technical rehearsals on 30 April and 3 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May.[145] The staging of her performance of "Hurricane" at the contest is directed by Tzafir and Avichai Hacham, with five dancers accompanying the artist on stage.[146][147]
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