Gal Gadot’s Call, Anti-Booing Tech, and the Voice of Defiance: Eden Golan, Israel’s Eurovision Firestorm
When Eden Golan stepped onto the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, she was not just performing for Israel. She was standing as a symbol of resilience amid a storm of hatred, global politics, and emotional upheaval. Her journey to Eurovision had become a microcosm of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, turning a pop culture spectacle into a battlefield of public opinion. And through it all, Golan remained defiant, proving that no number of boos, protests, or personal attacks could silence her voice.
A Controversial Choice
Chosen to represent Israel before the events of October 7, Eden’s journey took an unimaginable turn when Israel became embroiled in war. The calls for her country to be banned from Eurovision were loud, yet the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ultimately allowed Israel to compete—with conditions. Her original song, «October Rain,« was deemed too political, referencing the massacre of innocent Israelis in the conflict. The EBU required the song be rewritten, and «Hurricane« was born—an anthem about inner turmoil that resonated on multiple levels.
A Stage of Protest and Defiance
Eurovision 2024, hosted in Malmö, Sweden, was anything but a typical pop contest for Eden Golan. Protestors greeted her arrival, chanting and waving banners, while security measures escalated to unprecedented levels, including helicopters and rooftop snipers. Yet, the most jarring moment came on stage, where a wave of boos, though muted by Eurovision’s anti-booing technology, echoed through the arena. “I couldn’t hear myself sing. I only heard the boos,” Golan later revealed. And still, she sang. In her words, “A beast was in me.” Her performance, filled with fire and defiance, lit up the stage, turning the boos into fuel.
Support from an Unexpected Star
Just moments before the finals, Eden received a call from none other than Gal Gadot, Israel’s Wonder Woman herself. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Gadot shared words of encouragement, urging her to focus on the love and to keep pushing forward, despite the global tension surrounding her performance. It was a moment of solidarity that Eden carried with her through the competition.
The Power of the Televote
Despite the hostility she faced, Golan’s strength resonated with audiences across Europe. The televote placed her second—a moment she describes as “astounding.” It was as though, through the anonymity of the vote, people expressed their quiet support for Israel. “The televote said so much without saying anything,” she reflected, highlighting that, beneath the surface, there was a groundswell of empathy and solidarity.
Beyond the Booing: A New Chapter
Since Eurovision, Eden Golan has continued to channel her emotions into her music. Her latest single, «Older,» reflects her ongoing journey, blending hope and sorrow as she, and Israel, navigate a painful period in history. And though the boos rang loud in Malmö, her voice has become louder, a force that speaks not only for herself but for a country longing for peace.
Eurovision was just the beginning. For Eden Golan, the battle continues—but so does her song.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
The reason that Eden Golan did so well in the televote was not because «through the anonymity of the vote, people expressed their quiet support for Israel». I believe that was the intended impression but the state of Israel spent a great deal of money in a global ad campaign to increase the televote including a huge ad in Times Square New York. Other countries can not afford to do this and the paid advertisements were unpresidented in Eurovision. To many it seemed like an unfair advantage adding to the sour feelings other artists and fans had toward the Israeli delegation.
Maybe; but regardless of all of the political issues, «Hurricane» by Eden Golan was just a great song. I love it.
«Chosen to represent Israel before the events of October 7, Eden’s journey took an unimaginable turn when Israel became embroiled in war.» > Are you sure it was before October 7th?