The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) organizing team has now approved Israel’s revised song. The country is therefore participating in the competition, reports Kan television channel. The first version was rejected because it was perceived as too political.
The rewritten song is now called “Hurricane” and has the same melody as its predecessor “October Rain”. The originally submitted song was about the massacre by the Islamist Hamas in Israel on October 7. This was too political for the organizing team and the ESC song was rejected. Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog then addressed the board of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and asked if the country could raise its voice – at a time when people hate Israel and want to exclude it.
Israeli broadcaster Kan initially opposed editing the text. Without this step, the country would not have been able to participate in the music competition. Swedish artists, among others, had called for Israel to be excluded from the ESC because of the Gaza war. The organizers rejected this.
Starts on May 7, Austria is there
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö starts on May 7 with the first semi-final, followed two days later by the second semi-final, in which Austrian representative Kaleen also sings “We Will Rave” for a ticket to the final. The final round of the world’s largest music competition is scheduled for May 11. A total of representatives from 37 countries are coming to Malmö this year. Last year singer Loreen won with ‘Tattoo’ in Liverpool.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
