Wearing hostage pin, Eden Golan jets off to Sweden for Eurovision

Amid animosity toward Israelis with Gaza war ongoing, Israeli representative heads delegation to Malmö, known for its cool reception to Jews, hoping to bring the competition to the Holy Land next year
Yoni Froim|
Eden Golan, Israel's representative for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, departed for Sweden on Tuesday to much fanfare, with the competition set to start next week.
Accompanied by her team from KAN Public Broadcasting Corporation, Golan, wearing a yellow ribbon pin symbolizing support for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, was greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by a crowd of adoring fans.
2 View gallery
עדן גולן טסה לאירווזיון
עדן גולן טסה לאירווזיון
Eden Golan at Ben Gurion Airport
(Photo: Amir Meiri)
She hopes to carry her nation from the second semi-final on May 9 to the grand final two days later with her performance of the song Hurricane.
The path to Eurovision has been fraught with challenges for Golan, particularly concerning the song October Rain, co-written by Keren Peles and Avi Ohayon. Controversy struck in late February when the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) considered banning the song for its alleged political messaging.
2 View gallery
עדן גולן טסה לאירווזיון
עדן גולן טסה לאירווזיון
Eden Golan wearing the hostage pin
(Photo: Amir Meiri)
Compounding the tension is the atmosphere in Malmö, which has become less welcoming to Israelis and Jews since the onset of the Gaza war. This has necessitated increased security measures for the Israeli delegation, reflecting broader concerns about the war and a global surge in antisemitism.
As the event approaches, the team remains vigilant, navigating these complexities while focusing on delivering a memorable performance on the Eurovision stage.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""