Israel’s alternative Eurovision entry has also been rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Israel’s participation in the spring Eurovision looks increasingly unlikely. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials told the Israeli news site Ynet that an alternative Eurovision song has also been rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Israel’s Eurovisa representative Eden Golan original verse October Rain was already rejected last week by the EBU. The lyrics were said to refer to the October 7 terrorist attacks by the Palestinian extremist organization Hamas. Now it was the song called that got rejected Dancing Forever, because it was also interpreted as too political a song.
When rejected by the EBU October Rain -song, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation flatly refused to change the song’s lyrics. Israel threatened not to participate in Eurovision altogether if the song was rejected.
Eden Golan is supposed to represent Israel in the spring Eurovision. WIKIMEDIA
Will Israel find a solution?
Dancing Forever -song took second place in an internal competition in Israel. The lyrics of the song, which are mainly in English, were published by the Israeli website Ynet. However, it did not explain the reasons for the rejection, or which lyrics in the song were interpreted as too political.
Israeli officials are still seeking a solution with the union. However, insiders involved in the negotiations are “pessimistic” about achieving a positive outcome. Eurovision rules prohibit political lyrics.
There was a similar case in 2021, when Belarus submitted a song that was interpreted as too political. It was given one chance to resubmit the song. When the second song was also rejected, Belarus was excluded from the competition.
Israel has been demanded to withdraw from Eurovision because of the situation in Palestine. Eurovision will be held in May in Malmö.
Sources: Wiwibloggs, Daily Sabah, Ynet.