Too political?

Israel’s ESC song lyrics to be revised

Israel's song lyrics for this year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) are still being revised, as has now been announced (symbolic image)

(Bild: niyazz - stock.adobe.com)

The public broadcaster Kan in Israel has agreed to revise the lyrics for this year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). The song had previously been criticized for being too political. The new song is to be announced next Sunday, March 10.

According to the broadcaster, the lyricists of the first-placed song "October Rain" and those of the second-placed song "Dance Forever" will get in touch. They are to rewrite the lyrics while retaining their artistic freedom. Kan will then select "the song that will be submitted to the Eurovision control committee".

Israel's President Isaac Herzog had requested the "necessary adjustments" so that the event could be held safely. "Especially at a time when those who hate us are trying to oppress and boycott the state of Israel", Herzog said, the voice must be "raised loud and clear in every world forum".

The text originally submitted was about the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

(Bild: niyazz - stock.adobe.com)

Lyrics referred to victims of the Hamas attack
The originally submitted lyrics of "October Rain" could have been interpreted as "too political" from the point of view of the rules and therefore disqualified, it was said (see video above). The song, which is mostly sung in English with some Hebrew words, refers to the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

At the end of February, Kan declared that he had "no intention" of "replacing the song." However, talks are being held with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which sets the rules for the ESC. "If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters have the option of submitting a new song or lyrics in accordance with the rules of the competition," the EBU said.

Some had called for Israel to be excluded from this year's competition because of the war in Gaza. However, this was rejected as no governments would be competing against each other.

Here you can see a picture of the singer Eden Golan.

Singer hasbeen chosen 
 The singer for the song has already been chosen: Eden Golan (20). The ESC is scheduled for May 7 to 11 in Malmö, Sweden. The organization of the event is always controversial, as in the past, for example, entries were allowed despite clear political statements.