The most anticipated week for Eurovision fans is here, one full of rehearsals and semi-finals that will culminate with a grand final next Saturday, May 11. However, this edition is being one of the most controversial to date with the participation of Israel after the war that is being experienced in the Middle East.
Right now, all eyes are on the second semifinal, which will take place tonight and in which this same country will perform before the general public with special security measures for that moment. However, yesterday the jury rehearsal took place, where the audience did not hesitate to boo throughout the performance.
A reaction from everyone present that will be repeated live at the next gala and that has formed a true pitched battle on social networks. The defenders and detractors of making this type of demands have wanted to make their position clear, increasing the controversy.
“I feel zero shame for Eden Golan, because if you told me that the aunt is aware of the problem, but she has only made videos and interviews taking pride in the genocide,” stated an X (Twitter) user. Among other things, he has also pointed out that the song that Israel plays is about the same day that the first attack on Gaza was carried out.
But he is not the only one who has wanted to go along this line. Another user cannot believe that there are people willing to defend an artist who attends a festival of these characteristics with a song that "defends her country's genocide against the Palestinians and the aggressions in other countries such as Lebanon."
And there are many who point out that, “for less”, artists have been “cancelled”. Cancel culture is already deeply rooted in recent times. For this reason, many want this festival to be used to raise “their voices to prevent whitening and remember Palestine.”
An opinion that contrasts with that of all those willing to defend the artist in the face of the boos received during her performance. And the networks are divided, with many expressing that Eden Golan should not “feel generalized hostility and threats towards her in Malmö just because she represents Israel.”
“Eden Golan did not bomb Gaza, the harassment is crazy, she is a 20-year-old pop singer, leave her alone,” one of these users commented. “How does this benefit the Palestinians or Gaza? “It's crazy,” he added. However, many others point out that she herself has not hesitated to take sides in favor of Israel.
Conflicting opinions will multiply in the second semi-final, which will take place at 9:00 p.m. tonight. Eden Golan, representing Israel, will perform at number 14, being one of the last to appear on screen.
As several journalists present at the rehearsals have pointed out, despite the boos being heard inside the venue, in the actual performances the organization has managed to neutralize them to try to prevent them from being heard on the spectators' televisions. Even so, the controversy is served.
