Israel: Eden Golan's song "Hurricane" for Eurovision 2024 released

Eden Golan was selected at HaKokhav HaBa back in February to represent Israel at this year's Eurovision.

Today, Eden Golan has released the song she will perform on the Eurovision stage in Malmö this May: "Hurricane."

"Hurricane" was written by Keren Peles, Stav Beger, and Avi Ohayon.

Songs rejected

Songwriters could submit songs to the broadcasters Kan and Keshet until 11 February, and an Israeli song selection committee was in charge of selecting the song for Eden Golan.

The song selection committee initially chose the song "October Rain" for Eden Golan. But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rejected the song due to political content in its lyrics, according to Ynet.

The song was allegedly referencing "the condition of Israeli civilians" in the 7 October attack with hints to the Re'im music festival massacre, according to Israel Hayom.

Israeli broadcaster Kan stated that they had no intention of changing or replacing the song, and that Israel would withdraw from Eurovision 2024 if the song was not approved by the EBU.

Miki Zohar, Culture and Sports Minister of Israel, called the intention of the EBU to reject the song "scandalous":

– Israel's song is a moving song that expresses the feelings of the people and the country these days, and it is not political, said Miki Zohar to Ynet, and continued:

– We all hope that Eurovision will remain a musical and cultural event and not a political arena.

Israeli broadcaster Kan revealed on 3 March that they had submitted two songs to the EBU, and that both were rejected: "October Rain" and the song that finished second in the internal song selection, "Dance Forever."

The broadcaster later agreed to change the lyrics of the song after a request by Israel's president, Isaac Herzog:

– The president emphasised that at this time in particular, when those who hate us seek to push aside and boycott the state of Israel from every stage, Israel must sound its voice with pride and its head high and raise its flag in every world forum, especially this year.

Kan later submitted "Hurricane," which has now been approved by the EBU.

Eden Golan

עדן גולן

20-year-old Eden Golan thought she would be in the Olympics when she started as an artistic gymnast at the age of nine. But that changed at a family vacation in Thailand where there was music entertainment in the hotel lobby, and she went on stage to sing "Jingle Bells." That was a wake-up call for the young Eden. She wanted to sing.

The first time she stepped on a more serious stage was in 2014, when she competed in a contest for young singers in front of 20,000 people.

When Eden Golan started singing, she was influenced by Miley Cyrus. Later, it was stars like Beyoncé and Jessie J that impressed her – especially their vocals.

In 2018, Eden Golan was a finalist in "The Voice Kids Russia 5" after she joined the girl group "Cosmos Girls."

Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest

Israel has participated in Eurovision 45 times since their debut in 1973. They have won the contest four times:

• 1978: Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta - Abanibi
• 1979: Milk and Honey - Hallelujah
• 1998: Dana International - Diva
• 2018: Netta Barzilai - Toy

Israel has never finished last in the contest! Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Israel has qualified for the Grand Final 12 out of 19 times.