Eurovision has asked Israel to change the controversial lyrics of the song "October Rain" by the artist Eden Golan. The song has references to the Hamas attack near Tel Aviv on October 7, 2023 and is known to be the beginning of the bloody war in Gaza.
Israel has agreed to change the text, to maintain political neutrality, after risking disqualification from the competition to be held on May 11 in Malmö, Sweden.
"October Rain" is a ballad, in which there are lines like: "There's no more air to breathe" and "They were all good kids, every one of them", referring to hostages taken by Hamas and people killed at the music festival.
According to Kan, Israel's national broadcaster, the lyricists were asked to revise the lines, while also maintaining their artistic freedom. Then, the version to be sent to Eurovision will be chosen. Khan has accepted Eurovision's request, as the country's prime minister, Isaac Herzog, agreed to make changes.
"The President emphasized that at this moment, where it is demanded to single out and boycott the Israeli state at every stage, Israel must ring with its voice with pride and head high and raise its flag in every world forum. Especially this year", said Kan in the statement.
