Earlier this week Israeli media reported that the broadcaster had selected the song “October Rain” for Eden Golan to sing at Eurovision 2024.
By Wednesday it was clear the European Broadcasting Union was considering banning the song for its use of political lyrics.
Now those lyrics have been revealed by Israel Hayom, paining a more complete picture of why the EBU thinks the song should be excluded.
The “October Rain” lyrics may get Israel’s song banned from Eurovision
In their report, the paper says the song is performed mostly in English. But the final three lines are in Hebrew and describe the feelings of Israeli civilians during the Hamas attack on October 7.
“There’s no air left to breathe / No place, no me from day to day.”
The “moving and powerful ballad” ends with a softer voice saying, “They were all good children, each one of them.”
Israel Hayom says the English-language verses include these lines:
“Evening/Everything is black and white/Who is the fool/ Who told you boys don’t cry/Hours and hours/ and flowers/Life is not a game for the cowards…/While time goes by/Every day/I’m losing my mind/Holding on.”
That the song references flowers is significant. That’s a slang term that references fallen soldiers from the IDF.
The Israeli broadcaster has made it clear that it will not amend the song to comply with the EBU’s rules. That means it will forgo its chance to participate in the contest, essentially disqualifying itself.
You can read their full statement below.
“After being selected in an orderly process by the professional Committee of the Israel Broadcasting Corporation, the selected song was passed annually for approval by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).”
“The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said on Wednesday that “Kan” is in dialogue with the EBU regarding the song that will represent Israel in Eurovision. It should be noted that as far as the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is concerned there is no intention to replace the song.”
“This means that if it is not approved by the European Broadcasting Union, Israel will not be able to participate in the competition, which will take place in Sweden next May.”
Update: N12 News is reporting that it’s very unlikely that Israel will participate in Eurovision this year. That’s according to sources “privy to the details.” According to their sources, “something extreme” needs to happen to resolve the issue.
According to KAN: “The Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar earlier contacted the President of the European Broadcasting Union and requested that the body approve the Israeli song for Eurovision. In his letter, the minister wrote that Israel is in one of its most complex periods, and that this fact cannot be ignored when choosing a song to represent it in this period.”
Kan have now released the full lyrics:
October Rain lyrics — Eden Golan (Israel Eurovision 2024)
Stand with me
Look into my eyes and see
People go away but never say goodbye
Someone stole the moon tonight
Took my light
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you
Boys don’t cry
Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride
Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain
Living in a fantasy
Ecstasy
Everything’s meant to be
We shall pass but love will never die
Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride
Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain
October Rain
לא נשאר אוויר לנשום
אין מקום
אין אותי מיום ליום
כולם ילדים טובים אחד אחד
(There’s no air left to breath
There’s no space
I’m gone day by day
Everyone is good kids one by one)
Okay so apparently Eden was back in the studio today to record a new version of the song with different lyrics. Ughhh
I have loved Israeli entries in the past but I really don’t care whether Israel participates or not this year. The lyrics may or may not have intentional undertones but the intervention of the Minister of Culture and the President mean that Israel intends to promote its presence as a political act. President Herzog’s statement makes that abundantly clear.
One one side singing about a tragic event isn’t bad. It’s like 1944. But the way they are behaving is feeling like they are using the contest to justify their war.
Who exactly?
Can you be more specific?
Israel didn’t start a war
And didn’t break the ceasefire on early in December.
Hmas broke the deal when they refused to let go all the remainimg young female hostages age 19 to 29. So sad.
I wish israel a lot of strenght and hope these young beautiful women return soon, as well as all the other hostages.
It always takes TWO to tango. If Israel truly wanted the hostages back they would strike a deal. If they wanted cease fire, it could happen. Being immature and saying things like “they started” or “they hurt us more” makes no sense. The feeling of saying that “they are morally doing wrong” is stronger than the will to get the hostages back. Otherwise they would just have been back in Israel.
The things you write are empty slogans, and there was a deal to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestin/ian prisoners terrorist who were convicted in Israeli courts, and indeed the release of abductees in several rounds, there was supposed to be another round according to the same agreement to release more abductees but it was not carried out, can you tell me why ? So it is much more than “they started” so that the activities of H4m4s cannot be reduced to a slogan for you and decide which slogan is stronger but we… Read more »
sure! Hit*ler didnt just killed Jews. The Jews did something to make him mad- maybe it because of their big nose?. It always takes TWO to tango. Is your hair color is pink or blue?
Thank you for interpreting my words the other way around from what I intend. Israel want the war to continue. It is a larger goal than freeing hostages at any cost. Initially Israel only wanted hostages back, but the feeling of vengeance came and there was a second goal about eliminating their enemy. Negotiations has been ongoing for a very long time. If freeing hostages at any coast was the only goal, then the negotiations would be quick and easy. But the Israeli government does not make priorities like that. They need their own military presence in neighbouring land even… Read more »
Not true, Erik.
Hmas has demands that even we in Europe would refuse.
I, not isrseli, not Jwwish, follow everything about the hstges, especially the young women.
Hmas broke the ceasefire deal in November when they refused to release the remaining about 20 young women.
That was part of the deal.
The things you write are an endless series of absurdities, Israel defined its goals from the first day of the war, one is the return of all the abduct/ees and the other is the destruction of the milit;ary infrastructure of H4m4s. The two goals are not mutually exclusive, because what good would it do if they return all the abduct/ees and then H4m4s commits another massa;cre? So it’s definitely not revenge. You try to explain by logical means the modus operandi of a terro:rist organization that does not think in logical terms at all, and therefore you fail time after… Read more »
Two to tango, is not true, Erik.
Last month the ICJ in the Hague ruled that Hmas must release all the hostsges immediately and: Unconditionally.
“The song is political”- didn’t Britain send a song about Brexit in the middle of it happening like a few years ago?! – was that not political too? *eyeroll*
Did we? Which song was that?
(“Space Man”, “Storm”, “Bigger Than Us”? …)
And then, I wrote a song.
I will never give up on EU, right in 2017 😉
Lol funny joke Maya.
The EBU has to stand their ground here, they can’t be seen rejecting songs like “We Don’t wanna put in” for being too political while accepting “October rain”. The fact that KAN remains defiant to simply changing like 3 words in the lyrics, or switching songs if they don’t want to change this one, is proof that they know EXACTLY what they’re doing. Same rules that got Georgia thrown out in 2009 needs to be applied here. Accept that the rules that applies to everyone else also applies to you or GTFO. Absolutely disrespectful behaviour.
The song Rain of October has no political aspect at all, without the word October I would not have known that the song is talking about what happened on 7/10. The song has no political aspect because the song talks about feelings, sorrow and loss. And it should not be compared to Georgia because the song was Against Putin when Russia hosted the competition political song is a political song and it doesn’t matter when the case is, that sounds like a pretty weak excuse. To be honest, there was already a song that participated in Eurovision that talked about… Read more »
Others see blatant political references even if you personally dont. As people disagreed about the Georgia disqualification in 2009.
If what you’re saying is true though it should be no problem changing the lyrics/title. Very simple. But they’re not even denying it:
”In his letter, the minister wrote that Israel is in one of its most complex periods, and that this fact cannot be ignored when choosing a song to represent it in this period.”
Countries/governments do not get to decide if the rules apply to them. The EBU decides. Get in line or get out.
I did not understand what in the response of the minister you quoted confirms that it is a political song?
He emphatically said that the song was not political
He also said that the song talks about feelings and not about war and he added that countries that previously participated in the competition sent songs that expressed their feelings, but if YOU believe that the song is political, are you welcome to refer to a word or a line in the song that confirms that the song is political?
You know why people are reacting and to what. I see no point arguing that for the 10.000th time. Check the rest of the comments if you need to freshen up on the arguments. You happen to disagree with them. But it seems like the EBU happens to agree with my thoughts on the matter.
KAN and Israel, just like any other nation who get’s notified they’re breaking the rules, have to either adjust or leave. And that decision is 100% on them. They are not victims except of their own stubborness and refusals.
You didn’t answer the question and avoided it, if you think the song is political, what is the line that makes it political? Don’t rely on the EBU because Israel claims it is hypocrisy. Because there were songs that participated in the competition in the past and even not long ago that were much more decisive and clear that they didn’t even talk about feelings, they were CLEARLY political and they were approved.
No, you just want to bet bogged down in the discussion of if the title October rain references the october attack, if flowers references dead IDF soldiers etcetc . I’m not at all interested. All that has been discussed already. I have my opinion and you have yours.
KAN/Israel can think what they want but they don’t own the competition. The EBU does. I rely on what they say because they decide. That settles it. KAN/Israel can choose to adapt and compete or refuse and get disqualified because of it.
I didn’t ask about others nor about EBU I asked about your opinion, you said you have an opinion, so what is the opinion where you see a political aspect in the song? Can you point to a line or word from the song that makes it political? Can’t Israel use the word flowers in its songs because in your opinion flowers refer to soldiers?If we change the word “flowers” to “trees” is it okay in your opinion and then yes can we approve the song?
“Flowers” is not slang for the fallen. There IS a word used for the fallen but it is the name of a particular flower not just the generic word “flowers”.
Sebastián,
Could you give those political references, please?
I am curious to know what parts are political and why.
Thank you.
Could you explain which lines exactly are political?
I dont see anything political.
Only about feelings and emotions, like sorrow .
No political statement at all.
Which 3 words should be changed according to you?
I understand kan doesn’t want to change the text, because it is not political at all.
I wish the Israeli eurovision fans here a lot of strenght.
Love.
Read the article. The ”offending” lines are pointed out there and also mentioned above. Should they be revised out I think Israel should be able to compete. Better yet another song, but hey, I’d personally settle for a revision. As already pointed out though, we dont decide and do not have to agree in a wiwibloggs comment section. The EBU does and KAN can either adapt or leave. Their decision. And as someone who disagreed with the masses who wanted Israel banned because of the current political conflict it irks me beyond belief that KAN acts like this. No other… Read more »
But you refer to what is recorded as the fact that the song is political, when in fact it is a matter of interpretation. Anyone can interpret songs however they want, I can decide that Unicorn is also a political song that it’s unicorn is actually meaning of Israel and disqualified ether’s History caught in a loop? Don’t you wanna change it? You know that we can, you and me Can write a new book Don’t you wanna change it now?? And one last thing, if Israel is not allowed to use the word ?October? in her songs does that… Read more »
Everything is always an interpretation based on context. Always.
You probably think I’m overly sensitive about words or trying to find excuses to hate on Israel. I think you’re either extremely naive about KANs intentions or to partisan to see what’s right in front of your eyes. We simply do not agree.
The one who decides what’s out line is EBU. Not me, not you, not KAN/Israel.
But I ask your opinion and you refuse to answer, do you see a word or a line in the song that is political?
Really ,what is the “contest”? After all, I also wrote the Israeli song from last year, Unicorn, I can say it’s political
“Hey, do you wanna check my DNA?
Older stories, time to go away”
you’re just evasive and don’t answer the question. And again I ask if Israel does not allow you to use the word October, does that mean that Ukraine will not be able to use the word February either?
And as I said: read the article for the examples. You personally disagreeing about them being political doesn’t make the argument less valid. And your second question is obvious: depends on the context. If Israel entered with The months of the year song and mentioned October that would be another thing. As any reasonable adult should realize. But you’re not here to reason or respectfully agree to disagree. Just strawman, gaslight and argue. None of which I an interested in partaking in. And just the behaviour that KAN is showing against the EBU and will earn them a well earned… Read more »
I read and didn’t find something politically in the song , if you find can you tell me? Depends on the context? It sounds very familiar, there are those who paid with their jobs when they said it. You realize how embarrassing your response is. Because you are in the interpretation business, everyone can interpret differently. You ignore the fact that there were countries that sent much more political songs than this and they were confirmed , including songs that Israel sent in the past. If the song deals with emotions: sorrow, sadness, mourning, pain You can’t disqualified a song… Read more »
Thing is Sebastian, that flowers in Israeli military lingo means injured, not fallen. So if that is the bull5hit claim deciding that the song is political, then it is based on nothing that is true. The EBU is making excuses because it actually would like to ban Israel but has no real cause. In Israel flowers is used to describe young people. Often in the context of young lives lost but in a very broad spectrum not specifically military. Personally I fail to see how grieving falling soldiers is political, but in this case the song actually refers to our… Read more »
I can’t see anything political in the song. Are we now going to ban every song that mentions the month October just because some people are looking for any excuse to ban Israel?
What are the specific words or sentences that makes it a political issue???
Not gonna lie. I am low key hoping they get banned.
If the EBU didnt want to have principle and ban them for the same reason they banned Russia, at least ban them for using Eurovision for political points the same way Belarus tried by sending the 2 songs that got them ultimately banned.
If Eurovision is all about peace then it shouldn’t have a terrorist state in the competition.
Absolutely agree Alex. Terrorist states have no business polluting our competition. Here’s looking at you Israel & Azerbaijan. More so Israel.
Not only will Israel not ben in facts two representatives from Israel are going to participate, one will represent Israel (probably they changed the song to only rain). the other Luxembourg and maybe there will be more. in your face Only fools will accept the comparison with Russia, by the way the European Broadcasting Union has already responded to this outrageous equation and it was not due to the war in Ukraine but rather that Russia did not meet the conditions of the union. While Russia launched a particularly cynical and cruel attac/k on Ukraine, Israel fell victim to the… Read more »
Hi Yuval, the ICJ international court of Justice in the Hague decided that Israel can continue the war and that hmas must release all the hostages immediately and Unconditionally.
The judges rejected south africas request for a ceasefire.
Love to Israel.
They did not. They asked Israel to make all they can to prevent war crime and protecting civilians.
Yes, the ICJ said that israel can continue the war,
And while continuing the war to do all they can to prevent war crimes etc.
So thats whats israel is doing.
Hms didn’t release the hostagges yet immediately and Unconditionally.
Momentarily continue, yes. But they are not done with the judicial process. If I close my eyes holding a gun it’s easier to accidentally hit someone. So maybe all Israelians should start opening their eyes to see that civilians are being killed daily. Is that really taking efforts not to hit civilians? I don’t think so. They should open their eyes for starters.
The participant from Czechia is born in Russia, so in a way they compete as well
The enemy includes nearly 10000 children then?
I don’t know if you know, but the residents of the kibbutz,im who survived the massa/cre claimed that 14-year-old Palest:inian boys from Gaz/a were also complicit in the mass:acre, and soldiers also claim that H4m4s uses children as human shields, uses them as observers, sends them to plant explosives for soldiers, and sends them to transfer weapons from one terr:orist to another . They also teach 12 year old boys to shoot weapo/ns sometimes with weapons like RPJ, that doesn’t mean I want these kids to get hurt, I’ve written it down several times, it’s better to just run to… Read more »
how come nobody is talking about Azerbaijan still being allowed to participate, i mean in general…nope oblivious…okay got it. at least lots of people are showing Armenia support, there is hope
Genuinely hoping this actually does happen. Belarus was actually banned for 4-5 years for still submitting political lyrics after the EBU told them to change them so maybe we’ll be lucky for a few more years. But, honestly, what I think is happening is that the EBU does not want to ban Israel, for some reason, and they wanna make it seem like “they had no choice”. They are already breaking the rules anyway so the EBU could have already banned KAN for spreading propaganda about the ongoing situation. This was literally their justification for banning Russia, not the actual… Read more »
“.They are already breaking the rules anyway”
Can you tell what exactly do you mean?
Of course Israel is allowed to participate, as it has been participating for over 50 years.
It’s like demanding that Ukraine be removed from the competition, since Israel, like Ukraine, was attacked and has the right to self-defense.
And can you tell me which word or line in the
The song it’s political?
I know you’re fishing but I’ll bite.
Why are you acting like all this just started in October? Why aren’t you asking WHY Israel was attacked in the first place?
I didn’t understand, Israel is guilty of its own massacre even though it is not the sovereign in Gaz/a?
Israel was attacked just like Ukraine. But then the comparison is lacking. Israel entered their neighbouring territories. Israel are the invaders. Invading is not defending. The Israeli government want to demolish and extinguish their neighbour. That could never be called defence. What was in the comment was less to do about Israel and more about what KAN broadcaster does.
I’m afraid you don’t know what you’re talking about, the H4m4s terroris/ts invaded the sovereign territory of the State of Israel and carried out a massacr.e that included a horrific things. Then they fled back to Gaz/a and are hiding in tunnels and hospitals, they even kidnappe;d 134 Israelis who are still in Gaz;a. Not only that, h4am4s fires missiles at the sovereign territory of the State of Israel and endangers the security of Israelis, does Israel not have the right to defend itself? Also, this war can be ended in one minute: H4m4s must disarm in order not to… Read more »
Defence is proportional. One strike for one strike. Using ground forces and air forces is different. Israeli people have been evacuated. The casualties since the attack in October has been military casualties from Israel’s side. But Israel military continue to kill civilians including women, children, journalists, humanitarian workers and health care staff. Air strikes at hospitals and refugee camps. That’s so many violations against international war law. The fact that it is not silent from missiles directed towards Israel does not mean the war has to continue. Many voices in Israel want hostages to be released, but politicians instead priorities… Read more »
First, you forget that H4m4s is even at this moment throwing missiles at the sovereign territor/ies of the of Israel and endangering the security of its citizens, so that it is not clear what exactly is the rationale for this after a horrific mass/acre that it carried out. I dont understand your response. There are NO air strikes on hospitals, for example Last week the IDF arrived at the Nasser hospital where hundreds of terr/orists were hiding and where hostages were certainly held in the past – not a single shot was fired by the IDF soldiers because the terr/orists… Read more »
Egypt refused because a) as happened before, displaced Palestinians weren’t allowed back. And b) Egypt doesn’t want to be complicit in ethnic cleansing in the area
Not allowed to return? But they did return to Gaz/a. Gaz/a has a border with Egypt, it is not about ethnic cleansing but a safe place until the end of the war and then they will return to Gaz/a, this is exactly what happened in 2008.
It happened in the West Bank. But you already know this.
What happened in the West Bank? in the West Bank there isn’t border with Egypt
Well duh ofc israel isn’t bordering West Bank.
But it has happened before in the West Bank when Palestinians were not able to return after being displaced.
But again
You already know this.
?israel isn’t bordering West Bank??
Do you even know where Israel is on the map?
And I return again to Gaz/a, there is a border with Egypt not only with Israel, in 2008 Egypt gave refuge to the Palesti:nians in Gaz/a after they again started a war.After they threw mis/siles, roc:kets and mortar bom:bs at Israel. They returned to Gaz/a after the war, how can Israel prevent their return to Gaz/a if the border is between Rafah in Gaz/a and Egypt?
To displace people from ther homes is a war crime. Messages were sent electronically to people without electricity. People were asked to move south and then they started striking in the south. Now the Israeli prime minister wants to strike in Rafah. The very same place you just said was safe. Where are civilians supposed to go? You tell me.
Moving to a safer area to save yourself is not a war crime. H4m4s is the sovereign in Gaz/a and he started the war and he is the one who violated the cease fire. This is a war that was imposed on Israel and I remind you again the Pale/stinians chose H4ma4s, 65% voted for them, H4m4s did not hide its intention for a moment – the destruction of Israel is what it tried to do on the 7 /10, the war can be ended in one minute: if the release of all the Israeli hosta/ges and the disarmament of… Read more »
That’s true. It’s not a war crime. But displacing people from their home is. Letting them having no choice. Warning them that you’ll bomb their house, no matter if they move out or not. We still talk about civilians. And Israelians voted for their current government. But I don’t blame Israeli people for their governments ruthless killings of civilians in this war. The government that wants to eliminate their opponents. Aha, so each side have the SAME goal. They want to ELIMINATE each other. How on earth would these two goals be done without millions of civilians dead. Maybe more.… Read more »
This conflict has been going on for over a century and there may be no solution. But I remind you that Israel is not the sovereign in Gaz:a, the Palest/inians are the sovereign in Gaz:a. As they chose H4m4s in the elections, over 65% voted for him, they could have chosen another way, instead of investing in terr:orism, they could have invested in Gaz:a’s infrastructure, in education, in the health system, in agriculture, in jobs Creation, in sports, in culture, but they preferred to invest in death tunnels and weap;ons. A request to evacuate people to safe areas does not… Read more »
I suggest they relocate to the middle of the Sahara Desert and make the desert bloom, like Israel did with the Negev (lol).
You misunderstand the principle of proportionality in international law. It does NOT mean one strike for one strike. Proportionality is measured by the amount of force necessary to prevent continuation of the aggression NOT by the simple balance of numbers. If you are firing rockets and endangering my citizens, but have placed your rocket launchers in the midst of “uninvolved” civilians in order to use them as human shields (a war crime, by the way, under international law), then legally, I am entitled to fire on your rocket launchers even if it means collateral damage among your civilians – as… Read more »
Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia. We can have these true European countries back in Eurovision instead of Israel and Azerbaijan. The European Broadcasting Union should work in this way.
And Gibraltar
Will you be kicking out Australia too, in that case? They are nowhere bear Europe.
Well, regardless of how anyone here feels about it, they are falling in the odds as we speak because people are realizing that this isn’t a good look for them and that there’s considerable chance of the song getting denied and it’s not worth betting for someone who may withdraw. And also regardless of how anyone here might feel, in online spaces outside of wiwibloggs I have observed that it is pretty clear that the popular opinion is that Israel is not currently wanted in the contest and that some people even plan to not watch if they stay. I’ve… Read more »
And you know what? I’ll also say this. A portion of people in the Eurovision fandom may just want more songs, regardless of where from. While your average viewing majority who ISN’T a diehard fan has a much easier time saying they’ll boycott. We obviously won’t see as much of that crowd in a Eurovision fansite
It is quite logical that people are afraid to bet on Israel right now, because the song is in danger of being disqualified. And this is mainly because KAN11 refuse to change the song. But if Israel’s song is approved (the new song or the current song) Israel will fly back up.
Sorry pumkin. On which planet are you living??
Dont you see the global outrage about what is happening in District G in the name of your country.
Im blessing all good souls living in it.
Dont you SEE iT??
They already said it’s either they get to send this song, or no song at all. I’ve got a feeling that more likely than not, Israel will end up pulling out. If the EBU has even a crumb of sense, it’d see the outrage that is building up and they will deny the song, or else risk losing viewership.
Agree.
See if you dress up nice and put good makeup on, you always cant ‘Exit stage left’ gracefully without losing face or big dramas no matter how big the fire at your house is.
The moment boots started walking on and bombs started dropping on neighbouring land. The music silenced. No music ever played during actions like this will sound like music for an invaders ear. Children are starving. Displaced people are constantly under attack. People die from basic injuries because of the lack of basic health care in the destroyed hospitals. The pile of humanitarian workers and journalists that has lost their lives in duty are increasing exponentially. Infants that never had the chance to speak their first words. Adolescent who became orphans just from one strike. Wanting their mum and dad, wanting… Read more »
Eric makes you confuse the facts, this war can be ended in one minute,h4m4s must release all the Israeli ab/ductees unconditionally and must disarm in order to prevent another massa;cre, there are two goals in the war, the release of all the Israeli abduct;ees and the second is to collapse the milita:ry infrastructure of H4m4s, I remind you that there was a ceasefire in early December, guess who violated it, hint: it wasn’t Israel. The citizens of Gaz/a should go to a protected area such as Ra-fah, Israel has marked a number of places that it will not att;ack, simply… Read more »
Rafah, what a joke. This is the city that the Israelian government wants to enter. The goal cannot be completed without entering Rafah according to the Israelian prime minister. It doesn’t feel safe to me. It will be difficult to unarm a government with support in several other countries. Yes, the party is classified as a t-organisation in a large portion of the world, but I’m not sure if Israel alone can do this. And to put it in the time frame of freeing hostages makes it unrealistic. When you strike a deal it should be a good deal for… Read more »
Since Israel left Gaz;a 20 years ago, it has not annexed a single centimeter of Gaz:a’s territory. After all, there is a fence that separates Gaz;a from Israel. Israel will be forced to enter Ra-fah because that is where the last headquarters of H4m4s is located, of course for each of their headquarters they made sure that there was a human shield surrounding them. In the meantime, Israel only threatens, it is perfectly fine to start negotiations with a terr/orist organization, and if it does fail, Israel will have no choice, Israel will have to enter Raf-ah, but it will… Read more »
To be honest, I hoped that Israel would come up with some really clearly unacceptable lyrics so that the EBU would have no option but to ban them because, personally, I really don’t want to see them (or Azerbaijan, btw) promoting their country at Eurovision this year (because, as much as we pretend Eurovision is not political, whenever you wave a flag and represent a country internationally, that is a political act).
That said, I really don’t think there’s much about the song lyrics that is objectionable. Which puts the EBU in a very difficult position.
I am excited for Azerbaijan this year, an entry with azeri language confirmed as final 2 entries in their selection have azeri lyrics
There’s no such language. It’s 75% Turkish with minor Russian & Farsi vocabulary. Still fascinated to listen to Turkish and Russian?
What? It has common words with Turkish because they are part of the same language family, the same way Italian Spanish and Portuguese have a lot of words in common, or even English and Dutch, Azerbaijani is a language.
It’s a cheap attack to try denigrate the Azeri people by denying their linguistic and cultural existence. English is a Germanic language a massive French vocabulary. So what?
Criticise the genocidaires in the Azeri government, not the people.
Israel is the biggest ICEBERG ever in Eurovision.. If Israel is disqualified: everyone will say that the EBU are anti-Semitic and hypocritical because they have approved political songs in the past, and if “October Rain” is published it will become the most talked about song in the world, everyone will want to hear that song, Eden will be famous all over the world. If Israel is not disqualified: the pro-P@lestinians will go crazy, Israel will be the most talked about country in this year’s Eurovision, there will be a lot of riots, which will lead to feeling sorry for Eden… Read more »
See the 2nd scenario is why it would put Israhell at an advantage to win, which is unfair in comparison to other songs. EBU wants all songs to have an equal chance without becoming highly publicised in the press/media/online.
Admins can you do your job and remove Anti Semitic comments that refer to Isreals name in a derogatory way. Eurovision Fans Facebook group are taking down comments so should you.
Critics of a country is not directed towards a religion. I’m not saying anti semitism won’t occur. But criticising Israel is legitime because of their ongoing war. If people would connect it to Jewish people it would be anti semitic.
During the start of Russian invasion Russian fans here talked about racism towards Russians of Russsio-phobia.
But most of it was just critique of Russian war.
The excuse ‘it’s just criticism of Israel’ when they often hear from anti-Semites that they are too cowardly or ignorant to admit what they are, no longer works.
BOO HOO KEEP CRYING CUS YOU’RE COMMITING A GEN0CIDE!
Pro Palestines any way will get crazy- in London in one of the protests in the last week – a radical Islamist man shouted on a boy in age 10 only because he talked in hebrew with his family members “Why Hiltler didn’t finish the job with you and gas you all?”
That isn’t normal! If Israel will win the Eurovision it would be the greatest victory to all the antisemitism!
Antisemitism is soo WRONG! It is hard to hear, I feel sorry for that child that did nothing wrong.. WTH is going on with our world?!!
Dont eat all your cookies at once my pumpkin. I reject ALL forms of anti semitism and islamophobic. Tensions are flaring up Worldwide on both sides of the fence. Whatever human suffering, it should stop. NOW Ugly things are being said against your Peoples. What shouldnt be happening. Your Peoples are also saying dispicable things especially on these kinda webpages concerning the Israeli contribution at ESC24. No matter how well posters explain their upset over the israeli counterattacks on District G, on the inmense human suffering taking place right now. Despite condemning and having NO support with the ter-ori$t organisations.… Read more »
It is scary that there are people on Britain’s streets spouting that sort of hate no doubt it’ll be the same demographic I have been sexually assaulted and experienced homophobia from, this is why I cannot support the anti Isreal side.
So it’s just all about you? Typical English.
There is no side! There is only people doing war. And that should end immediately. It has not to do with supporting a football team. I’m not interested in football. Just end the war. I don’t support people doing each other harm. The terrorist actions was unforgiving just as the ongoing war. It should end now.
Stopping fighting against hsmas won’t stop the war .
Then hmas will strenghten and will do another bigger terrorist attack soon, like they declared many times.
Of course no one should be allowed to use such words. But tell me where you find them on wiwiblogs?
Fun fact. People in Israel can have many different religions. The Jewish religion is just one of them. Criticising the Israeli government is not directed towards Jews in general. If a song is too political in ESC it will be required to change its lyrics. KAN has stated they will not change its lyrics. If they will not participate it’s because of the lyrics and that they chose not to change it. Religion is not included. People can worship what they want and should always be free to do so. But we should never worship war.
If you notice the question has been asked over and over and people who think the song is political are asked which word or line in the song makes the song political, and they have a hard time answering. Maybe you can answer. What in the lyrics of the song makes it political?
Maybe read my first statement when this news was published. KAN implies the lyrics are political because of their stance of it wanting to change the lyrics. I’ve read many comments of people who say certain parts could be political. Maybe if they didn’t voiced that their song was about the attack it would be less political. But I’m not saying words need to change. It is KAN who implies it when they say they won’t change the lyrics. It’s up to the EBU to decide what happens next. My initial reaction was that the political talk on KAN’s hand… Read more »
But there is no political aspect to the song, because it talks about feelings, about pain, about sorrow, about loss, about grief, the word Israel, h4m4s, war, abductees is not mentioned. , if it weren’t for the word October, there wouldn’t be a context for the song, to disqualify because of the word ‘October’? That sounds stupid to me.
If there is no political side to the song but only an interpretation you make – there is no reason to disqualify the song .
But please explain which lyrics are political and should be changed and Why those lines are political?
Nobody gives an answer to that, not even EBU.
Could you tell me the answer?
Dancing in the rain could be an alternative?
Or dancing in the storm, or dancing my way out of the storm, or dancing to start the storm, or maybe october tears instead of rain.
The lyrics are not political aside for the name, which for me can easily be changed. It does, however, reflect the enormous trauma the Israeli people have been going through from a sentimental, personal point of view. There could be no Israeli song this year not reflecting the trauma. In general I think Israel has always been doing terrible work in conveying its side of the story, against an extremely effective counter-campaign. Israelis feel this a fight for their very survival in an area that has never been merciful towards minorities, and the antagonism Israel faces just adds to the… Read more »
As an Israeli I feel so sad – after the worst massacre against the Jewish people since the holocaust, we just want to represent our beautiful and holy country, the lyrics of the song are so non-political – it’s just a ballad, what the EBU thought we were going to sing happy songs like unicorn and toy, when every second someone dies in the north, in the south, in terrorist attacks…
Our country is bleeding.
Please Eurovision give Israel a chance to represent itself ???
If the israelies would have created a beautifull ballad about the blood of both suffering Peoples they would have my blessings.
At this moment it would be beter for all parties involved with a “Please, exit stage left”.
Im sorry.
And why dont call a spade a spade>>? Im so tired about all the miscomprehensions and hate from both sides in this ESC24. Im speaking from my comfortable position in the North West of Europe where theres no war as of yet. Dear Brothers and Sisters, we all see whats happening now. If the IDF were going behind the t-e-rror ist members who were supposed commiting or reasponsable for the oct 7th attacks, with precision attacks and intelligent weapons without killing so much innoccent civilians, they could have got my support. Its an inhumane carnage right now. No support for… Read more »
No-one is dying “every second” in Is real right now, however they are in G a. Za and the we st bank.
They are seeing how much of the string they can pull with this one. If the EBU does not kick them out with this they would’ve lost the little credibility they’ve got left.
If Israel is not banned, it may not be a bad thing.
The country is doomed to be protested and boycotted this year. A proper method may even bring more light and thus pressure on their gen0c1de. Tho, it will be regrettable to let the young artist and her team face pressure of this kind.
can we also kick out the UK, while we are at it, i mean their is.lam.o.ph.ob.ia is also getting out of control now
The story has now been picked up by BBC radio news, but I wonder why the question been answered. We all know the lyrics. Can’t the EBU make a decision so we can all move on?
The EBU will tell them to change it by the deadline of the 11th of March. By then the deadline for songs is expected If they don’t change the lyrics or the song they are out. We don’t need any more propaganda in this year’s contest. I think a year out will do them good and avoid embarrassment. The world is watching this dreadful conflict and is shocked and saddened by how severe it has become and how many children are murdered. This will also ruin the artist’s career. Until this government is replaced that is. Time for reflection and… Read more »
It seems like a long time since I saw you commenting here. Good to see you back.
And people are still willing to argue that this is more political than 1944….. get a grip people.
Talking about an event 70 years ago is not political.
Actively political I mean which is what the EBU use for definition.
It is certainly much less explicit than “Non mi avete fatto niente” (Italy 2018). Where there any issues with that song? BTW, I never got the lyrics of Italy 2018, suggesting that what happened at Manchester and elsewhere was nothing (?).
Italy 2018 was a anti-terrorism song in general though
was my favourite that year btw, alongside Austria’s Solid powerhouse Cesar Sampson
Can you explain the lyrics? Many lives were lost in the attacks and yet they were saying “you haven’t done anything to me” like it is a very profound statement. Am I missing something? Honest question.
As it was anti-terrorism song as stated before, it was not political as it wasn’t directed at any country in the slightest. Everyone agrees that terrorism is bad, so it didn’t offend anyone.
“You haven’t done anything to me” could be interpreted as “I don’t care”. I guess this was not their intention but I’ve always felt uncomfortable about that song. Sorry about the off-topic!
I always seen it more like ” despite everything, we continue to live and thrive, you haven’t won”, like not letting the evil of terrorism change who we are. That terrorists didnt accomplish anything.
I am really surprised by the comments here in favor of continuing to murder innocent children and women and not looking for an alternative to this. Let the kidnapped Israelis return and stop the conscious massacre.
If only women children…men lifes were important without caring about nationalities!!! Palestinians desesrve to live in peace also! H4m4s is not palestin!!
But H4m4s Elected in the elections in G1aza , he has since canceled the elections in 2007
65% of the Palestinians voted for
Ha4mas, whose treaty is the destruction of the State of Israel. And this is what it trying to do on 7/10
Rigged elections + noone wants to get to ha.mas bad side, doesn’t mean pal.estine people like them, they are well aware how much they steal from their own people.
How do you know the election was rigged?
As I noted, 65% of the Palestinian/s in Gaz/a voted for H4m4s and its agenda – the elimination of the State of Israel, which is clearly stated in their charter.
Very few people in Israel support their current leader. In the neighbouring country people are not allowed to criticise their government. But of course people don’t want their families to die. Elected, sure. But elected people can do terrible actions. Don’t say the people cannot chose. They don’t need to follow their government. Just look at how 51% in Israel is against their own policies. Then it doesn’t represent the people anymore, right?
But they did choose h4m4s, 65% of Palestin/ians in Gaz:a voted for them in 2007, they didn’t know who they were voting for? Did they not know what H4m4s’ intentions were? After all, H4m5s had a treaty from 1988 that says very explicitly – the destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic theocracy.
But by that token the majority of I sr ael also voted for their far right government that has made the lives of Ga z @ns miserable and caused them to rebel in the first place. Do they deserve to suffer just because they have a bad government?
As of 7/10, Israel is not the sovereign in Gaz/a at all. Gaz/a also has a border with Egypt.
Do you know how many times a total, complete hostage trade has been declined by Israel so far?
Many times total? Tell everyone more it’s really going to be interesting.
Israel has rejected calls for a full release 4 times in January and February. Full, not partial, full. Their reasoning being they refuse it because it would release some Palestinians, include a ceasefire agreement and leave the same people politically in power. But the keyword is they would release all hostages. They’ve even released a lot of hostages as is so far over worsening health issues or partial trades earlier into the situation. And a lot of the hostages that were released or their families in Israel itself are protesting against Benjamin for not accepting the terms and are being… Read more »
Where do you get this information? If this were true I would join the protesters, there was never such a proposal. Israel is always the one who initiated in order for there to be a deal, there was never a proposal to release all the abduc/tees. Even President Biden claimed that in order to release a small number of abduc/tees, mainly women, children and sick old people (35 abductees), H4m4s’s demand is excessive 3 months ago, women and children were indeed released, but not all the women and not all the children. They released in several rounds that there was… Read more »
Beautiful lyrics, I can’t see how they can be even remotely interpreted as political. They simply reflect the hardship Israel had to go through after those barbaric attacks.
I certainly don’t expect EBU to ban this and I’m looking forward to support Israeli entry in Malmö.
Israel hasnt even begun to know what hardship entails. Always playing the victim with their demonic mea culpas that no one is buying anymore.
You don’t see how the title could be interpreted as a political statement? How?
I think there has been much more political lyrics from Israel in the past than this one. Maybe just the very last sentence is a bit border line
Please as an Israeli I’m very sad of we are not going to preform this year- we need some light in this dark time, we need escapism, we just want to represent our beautiful and holy country , please
I am sorry to read the comments below. Totally out of order. I don’t approve of the government’s actions but I will NOT blame individuals ir the country as a whole.
Pull your head in. Stop personalising this against people you don’t know.
Who started the war on 7th October… Isreal are only defending themselves by wiping out a cowardly evil t*rr*r#st mafia that use the Palestinians as human shields, casualties are therefor inevitable, it is sick that they’re hiding under the most vulnerable under hospitals. The west did the same with Al Q@ued@ and the IRA.
I dont recall whole parts of nothern Ireland being flattened by the british troops in getting IRA? The whole Afganistan and Iraq story is another thing. Its also evdident the westen military powers commited warcrimes on our behalf. Its a huge shame as well. Many voices were speaking out loud about that as well! The same as now against the onslaught the IDF is commiting. You arent listening tho, the same as the USA/ UK coalition wasnt eager listening than on the blood of many innocent souls killed. The same gov’s who are supporting the murder on District G now.… Read more »
The IRA was fighting for civil rights of catholics in Northern Ireland who were treated as second class citizens and not allowed to access jobs or vote.
So maybe they should not start a war against Israel.
HAMa/s was chosen in the election in 2007 and did you read it’treaty?
65% of the Palestinians voted for
Ha4mas, whose treaty is the destruction of the State of Israel. And this is what it trying to do on 7/10
Nothing about these lyrics is controversial. They’re Face the Shadow level of generic, you have to read into them deeply and know about the events in order to link them with a meaning, and even then pain and suffering aren’t political subjects. 1944 was on another level and it was accepted, so I don’t see the problem with these.
Lyrics don’t look political at all, even the article’s attempt to draw inferences is ropey at best. Talking about flowers is talking about the I D F ?
If EBU is fair which they have been so far, this will be allowed to compete
Belarus was banned for similarly vague political lyrics. I personally don’t mind if Israel competes this year but if the EBU is applying its rules fairly its hard to justify kicking out Belarus and not Israel.
tea
the title is already offensive enough for the EBU to ban this song, since everyone will refer to October 7th
I don’t believe the lyrics or the song itself is the problem. In my opinion, they don’t explicitly reference current events to a large extent. The core issue, however, is Israel’s participation. Israel’s actions at present are controversial, and their participation in Eurovision could attract significant criticism, making it difficult for the singer as well. The references to 1944 seem irrelevant in this context, as there is no direct comparison to be made. That song addressed events that occurred decades ago, whereas the current situation is ongoing. While the pain Israel has endured is acknowledged, the alleged disproportionate actions they… Read more »
There is nothing disproportionate about protecting yourself from barbaric actions. What else are they supposed to do? Give up and killed?
Israel has done nothing wrong.
Killing thousands of children and leaving rest to starve to death is called “protecting yourself”?
“Israel has done nothing wrong.” my ass
Nothing more barbaric than killing thousands of civilians (speciallly women and children) trapped in a places where there’s no escape under the excuse of “protecting yourself”. You’ve unblocked a whole brand new level of cynicism.
Jamala’s song was far more “political” than this one. Dont understand whats the fuss is all about
Aside from the fact that this song is very pointed and has aggressive bitter undertones. The lyrics are complete tripe.
I think many of you if not most of you are missing the point. If Kan genuinely wants to take part in Malmö they simply have to provide alternative lyrics. In the first instance they’re not being threatened with disqualification they are treating to withdraw if the EBU rules against the lyrics.
I do not find the lyrics political, maybe the ‘October rain’ title is adding context and causing people to call it political. Nevertheless I do not think Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision since it’s a non-political music contest. Before anyone talks about how songs should not be political let me remind you of Croatia last year with a song talking about Putin or Jamala’s winning song ‘1944’ clearly referencing deportation of Crimean Tatars by the URSS.
Thankfully it is not up to you to decide.
Thankfully is not up to you to decide either. Emotional thinkers like you are ruining eurovision shoving politics into the contest. Want to help people? Good, then donate instead of whining about a music contest that has absolutely no repercussion in the conflict. Y’all are just performative activists.
But the song is referencing an event that has cause so much political stir. Perhaps if they removed the October reference it may pass as a political song that isn’t pointed too much.
Like I mentioned, it’s the tittle the one that sort of puts everything together. Removing ‘October’ from the tittle would be ideal as the rest of the lyrics are not too radical to be considered political. Anyways I do not find it outrageously political as people were claiming. Maybe it’s Eurovision and KAN’s way of damage control by disqualifying themselves over their own terms instead of being disqualified by Eurovision for the conflict as many wanted.
Thank you to William for updating this post with the full lyrics, and for providing more context from the media as well. I can see that the approval of the lyrics is a difficult situation for the EBU and KAN. I hope that they are able to work together and agree on a solution. It goes without saying that this is all very sad and heartbreaking to a lot of people, so I wish everyone the best, whatever happens with this decision.
Apart from the song title, I can’t determine whether the lyrics seem clearly political or not.
That being said, pretty sure they’d be booed loudly by the audience if they participated, and the EBU would once again manipulate the sound to hide it, like they did with R*ssia. They shouldn’t take part.
Freedom and peace to both Palestinian and Israeli people (there’s no room for Islamophobia nor antisemitism)!
There’s some for Russia phobia though 🙂
Since you’re censoring yourself writing the word
Oh okay then, bye Israel!
Context matters a lot. A song called “You belong to me” doesn’t sound suspicious unless Russia sends it. jk
Depends on the context LOL. That sounds familiar….
I’d love to see this on stage. I always like Israel, they prepare amazing entries.
There’s only pain, no hatred in these lyrics.
I don’t consider it politic, but given the time, it obviously raises questions. Music is feelings, and pain is what Israelis feel this period. Would it make more sense if they sent another “Golden Boy”?
If Palestine existed and participated in Eurovision, I suppose they’d send something relevant to how they suffer, too.
Fingers crossed that Eurovision will build bridges once again <3
“if Palestine existed”
umm…it does though?
Depends on which year. Before 1967 there wasn’t even a flag of Palestine (google it).
You can twist the reality to your agenda.
In my opinion if there are arab Israeli people in Israel, they can have a state when there will be Palestine Jews in Palestine.
No, there are people living in the G.za strip.
Remember the quote from Animal Farm (George Orwell 1945).
‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’
Smart move they should not participate this year. Poor Eden needs to go through all of this.
They absolutely must participate. Giving up would just be wrong.
Finally! I’m glad the EBU have grown a backbone and intervened in an obvious ploy to put forward a veiled one sided war related story. This is a song contest borne from the ashes of a world war in an attempt to bring about peace and unity. This is no place place to air any grievances, or run a commentary that imbues politics, atrocities or propaganda, however vague in its lyrics. There are many, many other subjects that people can use for inspiration when writing a song. It’s literally so cringe when people go for the obvious just to try… Read more »
Who get to decide what “politics” means? Half the countries in the contest don’t have marriage equality. Should Finland 2013 have been banned?
Clearly the EBU get to decide, duh.
Also, why just pick the word ‘politics’ out of my entire post? I wrote so much more than just that one point.
Try not to manipulate the post please and read properly all the points I made before cherry picking.
I didn’t realise I was manipulating or cherry picking. I thought my question was fairly in line with the spirit of your point, but okay.
Well at least you realise now that you were cherry picking.
Well the rule as it stands now is “no politics”, which I suppose is why I cherry picked the word “politics”, as I thought that is what was being discussed.
You ignore the words of the song that talk about pain, loss, sorrow, sadness, grief.
There is nothing in the song that describes war but describes feelings, Israel has no right to deal with a song that talks about its feelings?
And you ignore that there were songs in the competition in the past that were much more political than this song that were not disqualified.
I have a feeling that your criticism is not related to the song but to the country.
It’s all about the context. This is a song about the emotions caused from the ‘H@mas terrorist attack’ and that’s how it’s gonna be presented because there are clear references. The problem about it is that this is an ongoing event that causes international reactions and arguments. This is a very risky territory for EBU and I can see why they won’t allow it. As a rule of thumb I’d say that if the subject of a song features in the daily news worldwide there’s a risk for political interpretations.
Depends on the context? It sounds very familiar, there are those who paid with their work when they said it. You realize how embarrassing your response is. Because you are in the interpretation business, everyone can interpret differently. You ignore the fact that there were countries that sent much more political songs than this and they were approved, including songs that Israel sent in the past. If the song deals with emotions: sorrow, sadness, mourning, pain and mourning. You can’t reject a song because of feelings, of course not because of an interpretation. The union simply climbed a high tree… Read more »
If you had read my other comments you’d know my opinion about other songs and political context. I’ve been a vocal advocate of Israeli participation in ESC this year and I’m particularly concerned about the @ntisemitic voices inside the fan community. But. We need to be fair and square. If you bring to the contest a current political event that’s causing international debates, don’t expect this to go unnoticed and without controversy, even if you’re singing only about your emotions about the event. Emotions are not without context so stop pretending that you don’t understand what I’m saying. I believe… Read more »
And I suggest you read my response to you again because I answered it. If the song does not mention war but emotions, emotions such as sorrow, pain, Sorrow, you can’t ask Israel to send a song like Golden Boy 2 because “that’s what they need, without expecting from the international community to be part of it” doesn’t work. There were countries in the past that were in a state of war and sent songs that deal with the feelings that exist as a result of war, during war, such as Bosnia 1993, this was not disqualify . And no… Read more »
I’ll give you another example since it seems that you can’t follow my rationale. In 1976 my homecountry Greece sent the song “Panagia mou, panagia mou” which translates to “My Holy Mary, my Holy Mary” and was a plea to Holy Mary with clear but indirect references to the Turkish invasion in Cyprus which happened less 2 years before the contest. There was no mention of names and places and it only talked about ‘people suffering’ but everyone in Greece knew what the song was about and it’s still considered the most political song Greece ever sent to the contest.… Read more »
So I understand that the problem is no longer the context, the problem is the time in which the song participates… I thought we were moving forward with time…like bob dylan song the The Times They Are A-Changin I still haven’t been able to understand what is political in the line about the good kids one by one? If it’s writes nice children and not ‘good kids’ will it look better? Or is it forbidden to use the word ‘kids’ in the songs that Israel sends? Do you notice how ridiculous that is? The song talks about feelings and not… Read more »
Definition of ‘context’ by Cambridge dictionary: ‘the situation within which something exists or happens, and that can help explain it’. I think it’s self explanatory. Calling every comment against your opinion ridiculous is not an argument. You’re just making circles around the same argument. As a final remark I will say that I support Israel’s participation in ESC but not this particular song. It’s fine if you don’t agree with my conclusion.
Yes, I disagree. And it gives the impression that it wasn’t a word or a line in the song that bothered you, but the song itself, which deals with feelings, Israel has gone through the most difficult year in its history since it was founded, it probably won’t send Golden Boy 2 to the competition, it’s perfectly fine for a song that represents Israel to express its feelings. Note that the debate between us is a microcosm The other comments here have commenters who claim that the song is political and when other respond to them and ask which word… Read more »
Oh please, you haven’t answered my questions to start with. I already explained that putting the song in the context of “October” has political connotations and every song referencing current events should not be allowed (regardless what country it comes from). To make it easier for you I strongly disagree with Bashar’s participation in Icelandic final because RUV is heavily promoting his Palestinian identity. Imho this is also political with the aforementioned definition and I would be against its participation in ESC. Back to my questions: 1. Who are the “kids” the song is talking about? 2. Do you agree… Read more »
I will also copy and paste the rules of ESC: ‘All Participating Broadcasters, including the Host Broadcaster, shall be responsible to ensure that all necessary measures are undertaken within in their respective Delegations and teams to safeguard the interests and the integrity of the ESC and to make sure that the ESC shall in no case be politicized and/or instrumentalized and/or otherwise brought into disrepute in any way.’ It doesn’t talk about ‘political lyrics’ – anything that can have political connotations is forbidden. If Bashar, who everyone agrees has non-political lyrics in his song makes any direct or indirect references… Read more »
I mean, you also realized that there are no political lyrics in the song, so you found one now
“Political connections”? Don’t you understand that this is already a matter for interpretation?
You’re still not answering my questions 🙂
You systematically ignore that this song with the same lyrics could represent another country without any problem. And there was no argument at all. And you systematically ignore that there were much more clear and decisive songs from a political aspect that were not disqualified
If Bashar Mured wanted to sing about his feelings, there is no reason to disqualify it.
I bet that any song about an ongoing conflict wouldn’t represent any country and this is something that you conveniently ignore.
But the song does not refer to the conflict but to feelings, there are no political aspects to feelings and emotions and you ignore it. And I repeat other countries sent songs much more political
Clearly than this song and they were not disqualified .Another country would have sent the exact same words and would not have been disqualified..
For those saying it’s not obvious, neither was Belarus 2021.
Belarus was never a fantastic ESC participant, and is a dictatorship. Their absence is good
And Israel is an apartheid, genocidal state. Their absence is good.
No, Israel is not. Stop this propaganda and stay away from Eurovision.
Israel is a state that has tried to support their neighbours who’s only life goal is to kill Jews, in the name of peace. It didn’t work.
Protecting your citizens against barbaric attacks is 100% legal and legitimate. Every country in the world would do it.
They’ve tried to “support their neighbours” by controlling every aspect of their exposure to the outside world? Continuing to build on the left bank and forcing Muslim families out of their homes? Supporting H @ammas for years in order to destroy any support for more moderate Palestinian voices? Murdering journalists like Shireen Abu Akleh in cold blood, refusing to accept responsibility and lying about it? Attacking her funeral, desecrating her grave? You think the Pale stinians just hate them for no reason?
Spouting useless words.
if we we would do this about Israel we would be put against the wall.
All accusations and laughing emoiis included.
lyrics of the song of Belarus 2021 support a government agenda that silences its citizens and imprisons its journalists for speaking out over basic human rights issues. The Belarusian population does not deserve to be represented by lyrics demanding that they “dance to the tune” of a violent dictatorship. You can’t compare to Israeli song. Belarus’s song was political they didn’t even try to hide it, the song praises their leader Lukashenko and went against those who wanted to remove him, how can it even be compared to the Israeli song? Among other things, the song says (if I remember… Read more »
The lyrics are not too political but the “October Rain” thing makes it too obvious. As the song is talking about an ongoing war, that makes the song political. Obviously, I think Eurovision is not the right place for politics.
This is the perfect scenario for the EBU: they don’t need to ban a broadcaster/country but they get to ban the song because of politics, thus making Israel to withdraw. This way, they don’t need to choose sides.
Byeeeeeee
Wow the israeli bootlickers are out in the full force to defend their genocidal regime!
Too bad Europe and the EBU can see through the crybullying and will rightfully suspend Israel’s participation this year. This song is very clear in it’s intent and comparisons to Mama SC or 1944 are a stretch, incredibly weak arguments to make to bolster a pathetic attempt at a propaganda bop.
I absolutely agree Cassidy. People try to differentiate between the Israeli Govt and its population but they are one in the same. A bunch of gen0cidal apologists with no sense of empathy, regret, reflection or humility. If you don’t capitulate to their every whim, you will be thrown under the bus.
Unlike the Palestinians, of whom 80 % support H*mas and agree with the October 7th attacks, in which peaceful festival visitors from all over the world were shot and beheaded and the girls r*ped next to the c*rpses of their boyfriends.
H*mas is Israel’s creation and now its come back to bite you on your b*utt. Hopefully that will teach Israel not to scheme and manipulate an entire population. Either way youre all war crim*s.
Who conducted that poll, and how can it be verified?
It was conducted by a Palestinian Institute called PSR.
The Palestinians do not support H4m4s. H4m4s have appointed themselves as the militants to go up against the Israeli onslaught. Both H4m4s and the Israeli government are abhorrent for dragging hundreds of thousands of innocent lives through an unjust amount of pain, yet its the Israeli’s who seem to think that somehow they’re superior by taking things beyond the humane and punishing hundreds of thousands of innocents in the process. Wake up and realise you’re all just puppets in the grand scheme of things. The government need you to believe that they’re doing this for you. They only have their… Read more »
The whole population? Even those that protest Netanyahu? Even the children?
Don’t pay attention to that raging n@zi c’nt. He talks about humility while being the worst piece of excrement on this website.
All this hate again against a people and a creed. Again. They fight for their right to exist for thousands of years. Again now. People tend to see only the surface. Have you forgot holocaust? What do you think it would happen if they dont fight ? 6 milion during WW2. And the song isn ‘t politic. It”s just pain.
Ps : I had a friend from Brasil killed at 07.10 . He was just there to dance . He had no religion .
Sorry for your loss, they literally came to kill everyone, including Thai workers and even Beduins who are Muslims themselves. Nobody was off the hook. Defending Hammas and insisting that Israel shouldn’t fight them is unhinged.
I think context here is important. On its own the lyrics are ok and are in some ways open to interpretation. However, we have direct evidence from the songwriters and broadcaster about the intention of the song, and I think that is key here. Like with Belarus in 2021, the lyrics on their own weren’t necessarily political with a literal reading, but when the context is added that’s when things change.
Why the Croatian entry from last year was allowed then? The song was clearly about Putin and the ongoing war with Ukraine which couldn’t host the Eurovision that year because of this war. So…. Context and everything, why the song wasn’t declared too political?
What’s the “intention of the song”? Yes, it is about the barbaric attack on Israel. No one disputes that, it’s in the freaking title. So? How does that change anything? Why is it bad, or even unexpected, that country going through such a traumatic event reflects this in their culture?
Hi Samo, I think you clearly have a set point of view here and I don’t think going into too much detail here would help either party. However, you’ve asked a question and I will briefly detail my response. In my opinion only, the intention is propaganda and by the title pinpointing it in a certain time period, it seeks to ignore the events that have occurred after said time period, therefore it lacks a balance to events which are inherently political. As said, this in my opinion only, and I hope you have a good day!
I know the EBU is in a difficult position here, but honestly these lyrics are no reason to disqualify them. It would be way stranger if Israel would send a happy upbeat pop song during these times.
Youve got to be kidding me.
Sounds like you don’t belong here.
If the lyrics are not political then it would be a minor issue to change a few words.
Isreal rejects the request, so a clear proof that they are political .
Except from the word October which could be referring to a certain event,
could you explain which lines of the lyrics you think are political, please?
The main subject is:
There’s a war(one sided) still happening…even if the lyrics are not obvious…it’s clear there’s an implication on that topic!!
So if Israel wanted to keep things neutral cause this times are not been easy, they should play things fair without all this…
So in my opinion out is the way…
They had an option, they decided to use war clearly even if hided…sooo out!
Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7th thus declaring war, and massacring thousands and kidnapping civilians and have also fired thousands of missiles,,,
Palestin is not h4m4s!!!
The worst war in history when analizing jornalist deaths! Killing medics without borders! Bombing hospitals…
Fighting with h4m4s, while always taking territory that is not yours…
Fighting h4m4s that is your creation by the way…
“Fighting” h4m4s, while not caring that platinians lifes matter…
Germany Japan II world war = Russsia USA & Israel 2024…
‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’
Beautiful lyrics. Far less political than Jumala’s 1944. Ridiculous discussion by EBU.
Let them participate if they want. I guess it won’t be an easy game for them this year anyway at Eurovision.
The artist will need to be able withstand much pressure and stress from the public and the crowds during the shows.
They probably won’t even make it through the semi finals.
They should withdraw no matter what.
That gives other countries some more air participating in this difficult ESC24 edition..
“i cant breathe”
Just change the title to “Or?” lol
Dont get it. Please explain.