The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is considering disqualifying the Israeli song "October Rain" for containing political messaging, according to European sources that spoke to Ynet on Wednesday.
In its first response to Ynet's report, the EBU said in a statement: "We are currently in the process of carefully examining the lyrics of the song – a process that is confidential between the EBU and the Public Broadcasting Corporation until a final decision. All broadcasters have until March 11 to submit their songs officially. If a song does not meet the criteria for any reason, the corporation is given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics, according to the contest rules."
Read more:
The song, to be performed by Eden Golan at the Eurovision Song Contest in May, was supposed to be revealed last week but was postponed by the broadcasting corporation for a few more days.
Ynet reported that the delay in the song's release was due to the EBU requesting to review and approve its lyrics beforehand, ensuring they contained no political messages. Sources familiar with the matter informed Ynet that such a request was not unusual for Israel, noting that a clause prohibiting political messages has been part of the Eurovision regulations for several years.
However, European sources now tell Ynet that the EBU intends to disqualify the song, and in response, the Israeli corporation has stood its ground, stating that it will not change its lyrics - whatever the consequences may be.
After receiving signals from the EBU about the intention to disqualify the song, the corporation's council met urgently and decided, "We will not change the lyrics or the song, even if it means Israel will not participate in Eurovision this year."
Following Ynet's publication, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said that it is currently "in talks with the EBU regarding the song." The EBU has yet to comment on the matter.