Israel’s third song entry given green light by Eurovision

The EBU reportedly informed Israel last week that Golan would be allowed to compete in the musical extravaganza with Hurricane. 

The news came after the organisation had threatened to disqualify two of Israel's earlier entries over perceived political messaging.

The last lines of October Rain described the condition of Israelis during the October 7 terror attacks, in which 1,200 people were slaughtered: "There's' no air left to breathe / No place, no me from day to day."

In one of the verses, Golan sang the word "flowers," which is Israel Defence Forces slang for fallen soldiers, but which does not carry that connotation for European viewers.

Israel's second choice song, Dance Forever, was an apparent reference to the massacre at the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, where Hamas terrorists murdered 364 people on Oct. 7.

Kan has said that the final submission, set to the tune of October Rain, tells the story of a "young woman who is surviving a personal crisis."

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is taking place in Malmö, Sweden, following the Scandinavian country’s victory at the 2023 song contest. Golan, 20, will represent the Jewish state in the second semifinal on May 9. The grand final will take place two days later.

Last year, Israeli pop star Noa Kirel finished in third place in the Eurovision final in Liverpool, behind Sweden and Finland.