Israeli solo artist Eden Golan faced a mix of reactions during her performance of “Hurricane” at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Malmo, Sweden. Videos showed her being booed and jeered loudly, as well as cheered on, with some audience members chanting “Free Palestine.” The tensions arose due to the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has led to protests during the event. Despite the negative reactions, Golan maintained her composure and continued with her performance, even receiving support from some fans waving the Israeli flag.
The recent conflict between Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, and Israel has escalated tensions around the world. The deadliest attack by Hamas on Israel led to Israel’s heaviest airstrikes against Gaza, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Golan’s emotional performance at Eurovision, surrounded by supporters and waving the Israeli flag, highlighted the complexities of the situation. While some in the audience booed and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, others applauded and showed their support for the 20-year-old artist.
Golan received a wave of support on social media, with Israeli author Hen Mazzig praising her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Actress Gal Gadot also reached out to Golan before her performance, sharing her own experience with facing haters and critics. Despite the ongoing campaign to bar Israel from the competition due to its military actions in Gaza, Golan remained steadfast in defending her song “Hurricane,” which she described as conveying a message about personal crisis and resilience.
Protests against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest were held in Malmo, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Despite the controversy, Golan’s odds in the competition were slashed, making Israel a favorite to win the grand final. More than 10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered before the semifinal, while a smaller group of pro-Israeli supporters defended Golan’s right to perform. The winner of the competition is decided by a combination of popular vote and a jury from Eurovision.
