Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion

{{main|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2024 contest, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) until 2017, and the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan) since 2018, had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Israel forty-five times since the IBA's first entry in {{escyr|1973}}.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/country/israel|title=Israel|work=Eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|access-date=2023-08-09}} They had won the contest on four occasions: in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=1978}} with the song "{{lang|he-latn|A-Ba-Ni-Bi|italics=no}}" by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1979|t=1979}} with the song "Hallelujah" by Milk and Honey, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=1998|t=1998}} with the song "{{lang|he-latn|Diva|italics=no}}" by Dana International, and in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2018|t=2018}} with the song "Toy" by Netta. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, they had, to this point, managed to qualify to the final 12 times, achieving, besides its 2018 victory, four top ten results: in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2005|t=2005}} with "{{lang|he-latn|Hasheket Shenish'ar|i=no}}" by Shiri Maimon placing fourth, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2008|t=2008}} with "The Fire in Your Eyes" by Boaz placing ninth, in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2015|t=2015}} with "Golden Boy" by Nadav Guedj placing ninth, and in {{esccnty|Israel|y=2023|t=2023}} with "Unicorn" by Noa Kirel placing third.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, Kan organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. On 5 June 2023, Kan confirmed its participation in the 2024 contest, announcing that its representative would return to be selected through the reality singing competition Rising Star, which had been used between 2015 and 2020.{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |last=Holdiness |first=Timothy |title='The Next Star' to select for Israel in 2024|url=https://escxtra.com/2023/06/05/the-next-star-to-select-for-israel-2024|access-date=5 June 2023 |work=ESCXTRA |language=en-GB}}

As was the case between 2015 and 2020, the singer who would perform the Israeli entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was selected through the reality singing competition {{lang|he-latn|HaKokhav HaBa}}, produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Media Group, and broadcast on Keshet 12 as well as online via mako.co.il. The shows took place at the {{Ill|Neve Ilan Communications Center|he|קריית התקשורת נווה אילן}} in Neve Ilan, and were hosted by Assi Azar and Rotem Sela. The judging panel for the competition was composed of Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon ({{esccnty|Israel|y=2005|t=2005 Israeli Eurovision entrant}}), Ran Danker, {{ill|Itay Levi|he|איתי לוי}} and Eden Hason.{{cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/07/25/the-next-star-announces-hosts-and-judging-panel/|last=Stephenson|first=James|title=Israel: 'The Next Star' Announces Hosts and Judging Panel|work=Eurovoix|date=2023-07-25|access-date=2023-07-25}}{{cite web|url=https://www.escunited.com/israel-auditions-for-the-rising-star-have-began/|last=Cohen|first=Yehonatan|title=Israel: Auditions for the Rising Star have began!|work=ESCUnited|date=2023-07-25|access-date=2023-08-01}}

Preliminary casting rounds started in late July 2023 and ended on 10 September 2023 at Pavilion 2 of Expo Tel Aviv (Eurovision 2019 venue), where candidates were judged based on an a cappella performance of two songs of their choice.{{cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/08/30/israel-next-star-auditions-announced/|last=Brown|first=Alistair|title=Israel: 'The Next Star' Auditions Announced|work=Eurovoix|date=2023-08-30|access-date=2023-08-30}}{{cite web|url=https://www.escunited.com/🇮🇱-israel-last-day-of-preliminary-auditions-to-be-held-on-september-10th/|last=Cohen|first=Yehonatan|title=Israel: Last Day of Preliminary Auditions to be held on September 10th|work=ESCUnited|date=2023-09-01|access-date=2023-09-17}}

Qualifiers from the preliminary casting phase proceeded to the auditions proper, held in Neve Ilan and originally set to be filmed in the presence of an audience from late September or early October 2023 and to begin airing in November 2023.{{cite web |last=King |first=Dave |date=2023-10-10 |title='Rising Star' Postponed Indefinitely In Israel |url=https://escbubble.com/2023/10/rising-star-postponed-indefinitely-in-israel/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |work=ESCBubble}} However, following the outbreak of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023, filming for the competition was initially postponed in compliance with the Home Front Command's protection guidelines,{{Cite web |last=Mishali |first=Gil |date=2023-10-09 |title=בצל המלחמה: צילומי 'הכוכב הבא' יידחו |trans-title=In the shadow of the war: the filming of "The Next Star" will be postponed |url=https://www.mako.co.il/tvbee-tv-news/Article-834a2d796a31b81027.htm |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Mako |language=he}} eventually beginning without an audience in the week between 16 and 22 October, with the broadcasts initially scheduled to start on 31 October.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2023-10-28 |title=הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון 2024: מתחילים ביום שלישי! - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=The Next Star for Eurovision 2024: Starting on Tuesday |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/10/28/הכוכב-הבא-לאירוויזיון-2024-מתחילים-ביום-ש/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{cite web |last=Argyropoulos |first=Dimitris |date=2023-10-28 |title=Israel: The first episode of The Rising Star to be aired on 31st of October! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/10/israel-the-first-episode-of-the-rising-star-to-be-aired-on-31st-of-october/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |work=Eurovisionfun}}{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-10-29 |title=Israel: HaKokhav HaBa to Commence on October 31 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/10/29/🇮🇱-israel-hakokhav-haba-to-commence-on-october-31/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The audience vote, which was set to determine 40% of the result alongside the judges, was replaced by the votes of a focus group.

On 31 October 2023, when it was planned to air, the broadcast of the first episode was postponed in order to commemorate two soldiers who had been killed in combat earlier that day.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israel: HaKokhav HaBa's First Show Will Not Air Tonight |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/10/31/israel-hakokhav-habas-show-delayed/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Eurovoix}}{{Cite web |last=Swissa |first=Eran |date=2023-10-31 |title=לאחר נפילת הלוחמים: התוכנית 'הכוכב הבא' לא תשודר הערב |trans-title=After the fall of the warriors: The program "The Next Star" will not be broadcast tonight |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/tv/article/14772040?tg_rhash=c17de60bd6d0a1 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he-IL}} The decision to air the show in such circumstances was criticised by Israeli audiences and media,{{Cite web |last=Brink |first=Yaron Ten |date=2023-11-01 |title=מוקדם מדי: עוד לא התאוששנו מספיק כדי לראות את 'הכוכב הבא' |trans-title=Too early: we haven't recovered enough to watch "The Next Star" yet |url=https://timeout.co.il/הכוכב-הבא-ביקורת/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Time Out |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=Ravid |first=Yigal |author-link=Yigal Ravid |date=2023-11-01 |title=דילמת ערוצי הטלוויזיה: 'הכוכב הבא' לא, אבל מה כן? - וואלה! ברנז'ה |trans-title=The dilemma of the TV channels: If "The Next Star" can't be shown, then what can? |url=https://b.walla.co.il/item/3619773 |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Walla! |language=he}} and the broadcasts were ultimately rescheduled to start on 20 November.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2023-11-19 |title=מחר: 'הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון 2024' יוצאת לדרך! - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Tomorrow: The Next Star for Eurovision 2024 starts! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/11/19/מחר-הכוכב-הבא-לאירוויזיון-2024-יוצאת-לדר/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-11-19 |title=Israel: HaKokhav HaBa Commences Tomorrow Night |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/11/19/israel-hakokhav-haba-commences-tomorrow-night/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Eurovoix}} The second show, scheduled for 22 November, was postponed to make room for a governmental press conference regarding a deal negotiated that day for the release of hostages held by Hamas;{{Cite web |last=Braski |first=Ana |date=2023-11-22 |title=נתניהו, גנץ וגלנט יקיימו ב-21:15 מסיבת עיתונאים בנושא עסקת החטופים |trans-title=Netanyahu, Gantz and Gallant will hold a press conference at 21:15 on the issue of the abductees deal |url=https://maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1054196 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Maariv |language=he-IL}} broadcasting resumed on 2 December.{{Cite web |last=Papadopoulos |first=Giorgos |date=2023-12-02 |title=Israel: The second episode of HaKokhav Haba will air tonight! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/israel-the-second-episode-of-hakokhav-haba-will-air-tonight/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Eurovisionfun}}{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2023-12-02 |title=הכוכב הבא: מוריה אנג'ל, אריק סיני ויונתן ביטון ממשיכים לשלב הבא |trans-title=The Next Star: Moria Angel, Arik Sinai and Jonathan Bitton move on to the next stage |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/02/הכוכב-הבא-לאירוויזיון-שלושה-מתמודדים/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} Segments from the opening of the casting round of 10 September were included in the televised shows.

The audition shows also included segments in support of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the very first contestant Shai Tamino, a member of the IDF's Education and Youth Corps band, performed wearing military fatigues;{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2023-11-21 |title=הכוכב הבא לאירוויזיון: עדן גולן, ליאן בירן ושי טמינו ממשיכות לשלב הבא |trans-title=The Next Star for Eurovision: Eden Golan, Lian Biran and Shai Tamino move on to the next stage – summary of episode 1 |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/11/21/הכוכב-הבא-לאירוויזיון-שלוש-מתמודדות-מ/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} this led some Eurovision fan media outlets to begin limiting their coverage of Israel's participation in the 2024 contest, on the grounds that it clashed with the non-political and pacifist values traditionally associated with the event.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Statement: Eurovoix's Coverage of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/11/20/statement-eurovoix-coverage-israel-eurovision-song-contest/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Eurovoix}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Israele: nella selezione per l'Eurovision 2024 alcuni cantanti e giurati vestiti da soldati |trans-title=Israel: in the Eurovision 2024 selection some singers and judges were dressed as soldiers |url=https://www.eurofestivalnews.com/2023/11/20/israele-selezione-eurovision-2024-soldati/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=Eurofestival News |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-22 |title=Statement regarding HaKokhav HaBa on behalf of ESCXTRA.com |url=https://escxtra.com/2023/11/22/statement-regarding-hakokhav-haba-on-behalf-of-escxtra-com/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=ESCXTRA |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |last=Polewski |first=Kamil |title=Oświadczenie Eurowizja.org ws. relacjonowania udziału Izraela w Eurowizji 2024 |trans-title=Eurowizja.org's statement regarding the coverage of Israel's participation in Eurovision 2024 |url=https://eurowizja.org/eurowizja-2024-oswiadczenie-izrael/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Eurowizja.org |publisher=OGAE Poland |language=pl}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=A statement of That Eurovision Site's coverage of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://thateurovisionsite.com/2023/12/12/israel-statement/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=That Eurovision Site}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-06 |title=Israel ha elegido a Eden Golan |trans-title=Israel has selected Eden Golan |url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2024/israel-ha-elegido-a-eden-golan/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=ESCplus España |language=es-ES}}}}

Candidates were required to get a score of at least 70% of the votes from the judges and a focus group in order to advance.

The following phase, aired in segments on 31 December 2023, consisted of a shortlisting round, where the artists receiving a "yes" vote from all six judges automatically qualified and the others were chosen among those who had received four or five "yes" votes. 14 artists were shortlisted, namely Lian Biran, Eden Golan, Arik Sinai, Yehuda Saado, Shai Tamino, Ido Bartal, Mika Moshe, Jonathan Bitton, Mika Kertis, Dor Shimon, Or Cohen, Gal Kafri, Moria Angel, and Orel Ravid.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-01-01 |title=הכוכב הבא: אלו הם 14 המתמודדים שנכנסו לנבחרת! |trans-title=The Next Star: Here are the 14 contestants who entered the team! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/01/01/הכוכב-הבא-אלו-הם-14-המתמודדים-שנכנסו-לנב/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

In the top 14 round, the votes of the judges and an audience determined one contestant to be eliminated from each show, ultimately coming down to the top five. In each of the first two shows and in the sixth show, the artist to be eliminated was the one getting the lowest overall score. In the third, fourth, seventh and ninth show, the artists were paired in duels, with the winners directly qualifying to the next round; the judges then selected one eliminee per show among the others. In the fifth show, the artists were coupled to perform duets, with the eliminee selected between the lowest scoring duo. In the eighth show, each contestant performed a duet with a surprise guest artist.

In the first show of the semi-final, the votes of the judges and the audience determined one qualifier to the final. In the second show, the remaining four artists performed, and one of them left the competition.

The final took place on 6 February 2024 and was divided in a duel round, eliminating one finalist, and a superfinal among the remaining three artists, determining the winner. On 5 February, a special broadcast was aired featuring performances by guest artists and the finalists, each of whom announced which song they would perform in the first round of the final; a public vote, held via the Mako app and determining 10% of the results of the first round, was opened on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-02-05 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון: מחר ייבחר הנציג – ההצבעה נפתחה הערב! |trans-title=Israel in Eurovision: Tomorrow the representative will be chosen – the voting has been opened tonight! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/02/05/ישראל-באירוויזיון-מחר-ייבחר-הנציג-ההצ/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} {{Esccnty|Israel|y=2023|t=2023 Israeli representative}} Noa Kirel performed as a guest during the show. In the superfinal, a 50/50 combination of jury and public votes selected Eden Golan as the winner.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-02-06 |title=עדן גולן תייצג את ישראל באירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Eden Golan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/02/06/עדן-גולן-תייצג-את-ישראל-באירוויזיון-2024/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

The song that Eden Golan would perform in the contest was internally selected by a professional committee. On 16 January 2024, Kan and Keshet opened a window for specially selected songwriters to submit their entries until 11 February; submissions were required to include lyrics in Hebrew.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-01-16 |title=השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון 2024 ייבחר על ידי ועדה |trans-title=The Israeli song for Eurovision 2024 will be chosen by a committee |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/01/16/השיר-הישראלי-לאירוויזיון-2024-ייבחר-על-יד/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=בצל המלחמה: השינוי הדרמטי בבחירת השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון |trans-title=In the shadow of the war: the dramatic change in the selection of the Israeli song for Eurovision |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/culture/music/Article-1068373 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Maariv |language=he-IL}} Golan also had the option to submit her own entry. The selected entry, titled "Hurricane", was revealed on 10 March during a special broadcast on Kan 11, aired from the Yitzhak Rabin Center in Tel Aviv and hosted by Lior Suchard.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-03-03 |title=ישראל תשתתף באירוויזיון 2024: השיר ייחשף ב-10 במרץ! - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Israel will participate in Eurovision 2024: The song will be revealed on March 10! |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/03/03/ישראל-תשתתף-באירוויזיון-2024-השיר-ייחשף-ב-10/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{cite Instagram |postid=C4D29nhN7JR |user=kan_israel |title=יש לנו Hurricane |author=Kan |date=2024-03-03 |access-date=2024-03-06 |language=he |trans-title=We have Hurricane}}{{Cite web |last=Harel |first=Israel |date=6 March 2024 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: כך צפוי להיראות משדר חשיפת השיר הישראלי |trans-title=Israel in Eurovision 2024: this is what the Israeli song's unveiling by the broadcaster is expected to look like |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/03/06/ישראל-באירוויזיון-2024-כך-צפוי-להיראות-מש/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=EuroMix |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Brink |first=Yaron Ten |date=2024-03-11 |title=אירופה אנחנו באים: ההוריקן של עדן גולן לא יעשה לנו פדיחות |trans-title=Europe, we are coming: Eden Golan's hurricane will not fool us |url=https://timeout.co.il/%D7%94%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%9F-%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%96%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9F-2024/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Time Out |language=he-IL}}

On 19 February 2024, a report by {{lang|he-latn|Israel Hayom}} claimed that the proposed entry for the contest was being written by {{Ill|Avi Ohayon|he|אבי אוחיון}}, Keren Peles, and Stav Beger, with it most likely being titled "October Rain".{{Cite web |last=Swissa |first=Eran |date=19 February 2024 |title=דרמה בבחירת השיר לאירוויזיון: למה אחד מיוצרי השיר הנבחר מאיים למשוך אותו? |trans-title=Drama in the selection of the song for Eurovision: why does one of the creators of the chosen song threaten to withdraw it? |language=he |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/15291948 |access-date=19 February 2024 |website=Israel Hayom}} On 21 February, Ynet claimed that the EBU had rejected the entry on the grounds of political content in its lyrics, but that Kan was not planning to change the song or its content.{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2024-02-21 |title=האירוויזיון בסכנה: השיר עלול להיפסל בטענה ש'מילותיו פוליטיות', בתאגיד מתעקשים: לא נחליף |trans-title=Eurovision is in danger: the song may be disqualified on the grounds that "its words are political", the corporation insists: we will not replace |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/byuuedxnt |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=Ynet |publisher= |language=he}} Kan and the EBU later addressed this report, stating that the song was being examined, and that if it did not meet the criteria, Kan would be given the opportunity to alter the lyrics or submit a new entry by 11 March.{{Cite web |last=Asraf Mizrahi |first=Dorit |date=2024-02-21 |title=ישראל לא תשתתף באירוויזיון 2024? הוויכוח על השיר הנבחר |trans-title=Israel will not participate in Eurovision 2024? The debate about the chosen song |url=https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/culture/708567/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Kan Hadashot |publisher=Kan |language=he}}{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2024-02-21 |title=שר החוץ ישראל כץ: 'זכותנו לשיר על מה שעברנו'; ה-EBU: 'תינתן הזדמנות להחליף את השיר' |trans-title=Foreign Minister Israel Katz: "Our right to sing about what we went through"; The EBU: "An opportunity will be given to replace the song" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/rjdig9qnt |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=Ynet |language=he}} However, Kan added that if it was asked to change the contents of the song, it would not do so, and be forced to withdraw from the contest. Miki Zohar, Culture and Sports Minister of Israel, called the intention of the EBU to reject the song "scandalous", and "called on the European Broadcasting Union to continue to act professionally and neutrally and not to let politics influence art";{{Cite web |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/02/21/kan-will-withdraw-from-eurovision-2024-if-their-song-is-rejected/ |title=Israel: KAN Confirms Israel Will Withdraw from Eurovision 2024 If Their Song is Banned |date=2024-02-21 |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=Eurovoix |first=Anthony |last=Granger}} he later expressed his support for the song to be altered in order to meet the criteria for the contest.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Dean |date=2024-02-23 |title=שר התרבות בעד השתתפות באירוויזיון: 'לא מתנגד לשינויים' |trans-title=The Minister of Culture supports Israel's participation: "Not opposed to cosmetic changes in the song" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-entertainment/2024_q1/Article-d6989d6d746dd81027.htm |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=N12}}

On 22 February 2024, Kan published the lyrics of "October Rain".{{Cite web |last1=Asraf Mizrahi |first1=Dorit |last2=Fruchter |first2=Alon |date=2024-02-22 |title=יצירה ישראלית במחלוקת: המילים המלאות של השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון |trans-title=Israeli creation in controversy: the full lyrics of the Israeli song for Eurovision |url=https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/culture/709196/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Kan Hadashot |publisher=Kan}} Earlier that day, leaks by {{lang|he-Latn|Israel Hayom}} and Ynet described the song as a ballad that builds up to a climax, referencing "the condition of Israeli civilians" in the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel and also alluding to the Nova music festival massacre.{{Cite web |last=Swissa |first=Eran |date=22 February 2024 |title=חשיפה: 'הגשם של אוקטובר' - אלו מילות השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון שמעוררות סערה |trans-title=Disclosure: "October Rain" - These are the lyrics of the Israeli Eurovision song that are causing a stir |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/15305198 |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Israel Hayom}}{{Cite news |last=Boker |first=Ran |date=2024-02-22 |title='לרקוד בסערה, להשאיר את העולם מאחור': פרטים חדשים על השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון |trans-title="Dancing in the storm, leaving the world behind": new details about the Israeli song for Eurovision |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/r1zwhpe36 |access-date=2024-02-22 |work=Ynet |language=he}} On 28 February, Ynet reported that the song that finished second in the internal selection, "Dance Forever", written by Golan alongside {{Ill|Ron Biton|he|רון ביטון}}, May Sfadia, and Yinon Yahel, had also been rejected by the EBU,{{Cite news |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/rjlhd9336 |title='אנחנו עוד נרקוד שוב': זה השיר הישראלי שהגיע למקום השני בדרך לאירוויזיון |trans-title="We will dance again": this is the Israeli song that reached second place on the way to Eurovision |language=he |date=2024-02-28 |access-date=2024-02-28 |work=Ynet |first=Ran |last=Boker}} On 3 March, Kan officially confirmed that it had submitted both "October Rain" and "Dance Forever" to the EBU for consideration, and that both had been rejected by the EBU in their current state. Despite previous statements, Kan ultimately asked the writers of both songs to "make the necessary adjustments" in order for them to be eligible, and announced that the final intended entry, "Hurricane" (reported to be a revision of "October Rain" with changed lyrics), had been recorded later that day.{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-03-03 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: עדן גולן תבצע את השיר "HURRICANE"? |trans-title=Israel in Eurovision 2024: Aden Golan will perform the song "HURRICANE"? |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/03/03/ישראל-באירוויזיון-2024-עדן-גולן-תבצע-את-הש/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} However, the song's writers were reportedly asked to rewrite its lyrics again,{{cite web|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/music/article/15360571|last=Swissa|first=Eran|title=החשש - המילים יתפרשו כפוליטיות: השיר לאירוויזיון שוכתב שוב|trans-title=The fear - the words will be interpreted as political: the song for Eurovision has been rewritten|language=he|work=Israel Hayom|date=2024-03-03|access-date=2024-03-05}} and the final version was submitted two days later. The EBU gave its approval for the song on 7 March.{{Cite web |last=Asraf Mizrahi |first=Dorit |date=2024-03-07 |title=ישראל בדרך לאירוויזיון 2024 {{!}} עכשיו זה רשמי: עדן גולן תבצע את 'הוריקן' על הבמה בשוודיה |trans-title=Israel is on the way to Eurovision 2024 {{!}} Now it's official: Eden Golan will perform "Hurricane" on stage in Sweden |url=https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/culture/717611/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Kan Hadashot |publisher=Kan |language=he}}

{{further|Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion of Israel|Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for boycott|Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for boycott|Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for boycott|Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for boycott|Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for boycott|Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion of Israel}}

{{see also|Sanremo Music Festival 2024#Calls for Gaza war ceasefire|United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Controversy}}

The humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip during the war led to calls for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the 2024 contest, with human rights activists urging other countries to boycott the event.{{Cite web |last=Asido |first=Shahar |date=2023-11-19 |title=מה יעלה בגורלה של ישראל באירוויזיון? |trans-title=What will happen to Israel in Eurovision? |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/11/19/מה-יעלה-בגורלה-של-ישראל-באירוויזיון/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Alex |last2=Sella |first2=Adam |date=2024-02-07 |title=Israel Chooses a Eurovision Act as Boycott Campaigns Swirl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/arts/music/israel-eurovision-war-boycott.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Despite this, Israel ultimately appeared on the list of participants released by the EBU on 5 December 2023.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-37-broadcasters-head-malmo|title=Eurovision 2024: 37 broadcasters head to Malmö|date=5 December 2023|access-date=5 December 2023|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=EBU}} On 8 December, the EBU issued a statement maintaining that Kan "complies with all competition rules", allowing it to participate in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Deridder |first=Isabelle |date=2023-12-08 |title='Wij zijn een niet-politiek evenement': Israël blijft welkom op Songfestival, ook al werd Rusland wél geweerd |trans-title="We are a non-political event": Israel remains welcome at the Eurovision Song Contest, even though Russia was banned |url=https://www.hln.be/showbizz/wij-zijn-een-niet-politiek-evenement-israel-blijft-welkom-op-songfestival-ook-al-werd-rusland-wel-geweerd~a62699c6/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Het Laatste Nieuws |language=nl-BE}}{{Cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=2023-12-09 |title=EBU Releases Statement on Israel's Participation in Eurovision |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/12/09/ebu-releases-statement-on-israels-participation-in-eurovision/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The situation sparked controversy in a number of participating countries:

• {{anchor|Norway|Denmark}}{{esccnty|Norway|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2024}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Greece|y=2024}} and {{esccnty|Denmark|y=2024}}{{snd}} Representatives of Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Swedish broadcaster SVT, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS and Greek broadcaster ERT stated that they would follow the EBU's decisions,{{Cite web |last=Losen |first=Sofie |date=2023-12-05 |title=Alessandra Mele - Kjærlighet er sterkere enn hat |trans-title=Alessandra Mele: Love is stronger than hate |url=https://www.seher.no/kjendis/kjaerlighet-er-sterkere-enn-hat/80617869 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Se og Hør|language=nb}}{{cite web|last=Stephenson|first=James|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/12/06/nrk-is-following-what-the-ebu-decides-on-israel/|title=Norway: NRK is 'Following What the EBU Decides' on Israel|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023|website=Eurovoix}}{{cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=9 December 2023 |title=EBU statement: Israel's broadcaster 'complies with all competition rules' and remains eligible for Eurovision 2024 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/09/ebu-statement-israel-complies-with-all-competition-rules-and-remains-eligible-for-eurovision-2024/278647/ |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=Wiwibloggs}}{{Cite web |last=Kodonas |first=Panos |date=2023-12-21 |title=Ζητούν από τη Μαρίνα Σάττι να αποσυρθεί από τη Eurovision - Τι λένε από την ΕΡΤ στο NEWS 24/7 |trans-title=Marina Satti is asked to withdraw from Eurovision – What ERT says on NEWS 24/7 |url=https://www.news247.gr/psixagogia/zitoun-apo-ti-marina-satti-na-aposirthei-apo-ti-eurovision-ti-apanta-i-ert/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=News 24/7 |language=el}}{{Cite web |last=Koronakis |first=Spyros |date=2023-12-21 |title=Greece: ERT answers to fans who demand Israel's exclusion from Eurovision! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/12/greece-ert-answers-to-fans-who-demand-israels-exclusion-from-eurovision/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}} with NRK stating that it would not seek a "cultural boycott" of Israel not to "compromise {{om|our|sub=its|br=y}} integrity"{{Cite web |last1=Edland |first1=Gyrid Friis |last2=Visker |first2=Nora |last3=Christensen |first3=Siri B. |last4=Hoen |first4=Espen Sjølingstad |date=2024-01-05 |title=Demonstrasjon utenfor NRK før MGP-slipp: Ingen sier noe |trans-title=Demonstration outside NRK before release of MGP artists: "Nobody says anything" |url=https://www.vg.no/i/zEm4r9 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=VG |language=nb}}{{Cite web |last=Katsoulakis |first=Manos |date=2024-01-06 |title=Norway: NRK will not boycott Israel's entry in Eurovision 2024! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/01/norway-nrk-will-not-boycott-israels-entry-in-eurovision-2024/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}} and Danish broadcaster DR voicing its support for Israel's participation, citing the complexity and longstanding nature of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.{{Cite web |last=Herskind |first=Ida |date=2024-01-11 |title=Musikere: Hvis Rusland kan udelukkes fra Melodi Grand Prix, bør Israel også blive det |trans-title=Musicians: If Russia can be banned from the Song Contest, Israel should be too |url=https://politiken.dk/kultur/art9708831/Hvis-Rusland-kan-udelukkes-fra-Melodi-Grand-Prix-b%C3%B8r-Israel-ogs%C3%A5-blive-det |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Politiken |language=da}}{{Cite web |last=Ampatzidis |first=Ioannis |date=2024-01-12 |title=Denmark: DR Stands Firm Amidst Calls for Eurovision Boycott! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2024/01/denmark-dr-stands-firm-amidst-calls-for-eurovision-boycott/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Eurovisionfun |language=en-US}} Demonstrations and petitions calling for a boycott occurred in Norway,{{Cite web |date=2024-01-20 |title=Ny demonstrasjon utanfor NRK mot Israel si deltaking i Eurovision |trans-title=New demonstration outside NRK against Israel's participation in Eurovision |url=https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/ny-demonstrasjon-utanfor-nrk-mot-israel-si-deltaking-i-eurovision-1.16725405 |access-date=2024-01-20 |publisher=NRK |language=nb-NO}}{{Cite web |last=Valle |first=Marthe |date=2023-12-06 |title=Utesteng Israel fra Eurovision! |trans-title=Ban Israel from Eurovision! |url=https://www.opprop.net/utestengt_israel_fra_eurovision |access-date=2024-01-20 |work=Opprop |language=nb-NO}} Sweden,{{Cite web |last=Slobodnik |first=Maja |date=2024-01-27 |title=Runt 1 000 artister vill att Israel utesluts från Eurovision |trans-title=Around 1,000 artists want Israel excluded from Eurovision |url=https://www.expressen.se/noje/runt-1-000-artister-vill-att-israel-utesluts-fran-eurovision/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Expressen |language=sv}} and Denmark.{{Cite web |last=Skovlund Asmussen |first=Birgitte |date=2024-01-25 |title=DR har ikke planer om at boykotte Eurovision, selvom Israel deltager |trans-title=DR has no plans to boycott Eurovision, even if Israel participates |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/dr-har-ikke-planer-om-boykotte-eurovision-selvom-israel-deltager |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=dr.dk |publisher=DR |language=da-DK}} In addition, in April 2024, three authors for NRK's annual Eurovision review refused to write it for 2024, demanding that the broadcaster pressure the EBU to exclude Israel from the contest.{{Cite web |last=Semb Aasmundsen |first=Jakob |date=2024-04-08 |title=NRK-anmeldere boikotter Eurovision. Blir trolig ikke anmeldelser, sier kanalen. |trans-title=NRK reviewers boycott Eurovision. We will probably get no reviews, says the channel. |url=https://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/i/dwg9Qw/nrk-anmeldere-boikotter-eurovision-blir-trolig-ikke-anmeldelser-sier-kanalen |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Aftenposten |language=nb-NO |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=Trolig ikke Eurovision-anmeldelser hos NRK etter anmelderboikott |trans-title=Probably no Eurovision reviews on NRK after reviewers' boycott |url=https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/trolig-ikke-eurovision-anmeldelser-hos-nrk-etter-anmelderboikott-1.16835746 |access-date=2024-04-08 |publisher=NRK |language=nb-NO}}
• {{anchor|Iceland}}{{esccnty|Iceland|y=2024}}{{snd}}On 9 December 2023, {{ill|Stefán Eiríksson|is}}, the radio director of Icelandic broadcaster RÚV, stated that the country would still participate in the 2024 contest.{{Cite web |last1=Davíðsdóttir |first1=Erla María |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-09 |title=Stendur ekki til að sniðganga Eurovision |trans-title=Not going to boycott Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-09-stendur-ekki-til-ad-snidganga-eurovision-399280/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV |language=is}} In response, the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland (FTT) and activists of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, then joined by the Icelandic branch of OGAE, sent formal requests that RÚV withdraw from the event unless Israel was excluded "on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition", stressing on human rights violations on the Israeli side.{{Cite web |last=Hrólfsson |first=Ragnar Jón |date=2023-12-12 |title=FTT skorar á RÚV að sniðganga Eurovision ef Ísrael verður með |trans-title=FTT calls on RÚV to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-12-ftt-skorar-a-ruv-ad-snidganga-eurovision-ef-israel-verdur-med-399434/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV |language=is}}{{Cite web |last1=Kristjánsson |first1=Alexander |last2=Signýjardóttir |first2=Ástrós |date=2023-12-18 |title=Útvarpsstjóri tók við 9.000 undirskriftum um sniðgöngu í Eurovision |trans-title=Radio director received 9,000 signatures to boycott Eurovision |language=is |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-18-utvarpsstjori-tok-vid-9000-undirskriftum-um-snidgongu-i-eurovision-399909/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}}{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-18 |title=פעילי BDS הפגינו מול משרדי רשת הטלוויזיה האיסלנדית נגד השתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=BDS activists demonstrated in front of the offices of the Icelandic television network against Israel's participation in Eurovision |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/18/פעילי-bds-הפגינו-מול-משרדי-רשת-הטלוויזיה/ |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=Kristjánsson |first=Alexander |date=2023-12-23 |title=FÁSES skorar á RÚV að senda ekki lag í Eurovision |trans-title=FÁSES challenges RÚV not to send a song to Eurovision |language=is |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-23-fases-skorar-a-ruv-ad-senda-ekki-lag-i-eurovision-400645/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}} RÚV then chose to hold its national competition, {{lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2024, as usual, and then let the winner decide whether to participate in Eurovision.{{Cite web |last=Valsson |first=Andri Yrkill |date=2024-01-23 |title=Ekki ljóst hvort Ísland taki þátt í Eurovision |trans-title=It is not clear whether Iceland will participate in Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/403188 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV |language=is}}{{Cite web |last=Stephenson |first=James |date=2024-01-23 |title=Iceland: Eurovision 2024 Participation Uncertain |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/01/23/iceland-eurovision-2024-participation-uncertain/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Eurovoix}} Eventual {{lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} winner Hera Björk stated that she would participate in Eurovision prior to the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2024-02-25-audvitad-aetla-eg-ut-ef-eg-vinn-405834|title='Auðvitað ætla ég út ef ég vinn'|trans-title="Of course I'm going out if I win"|work=ruv.is|publisher=RÚV|language=is|date=25 February 2024|access-date=25 February 2024}} RÚV confirmed on 11 March that it would participate, with Hera Björk as its representative.{{Cite web |last=Guðmundsdóttir |first=Ingibjörg Sara |date=2024-03-11 |title=RÚV sendir Heru í Eurovision |trans-title=RÚV sends Hera to Eurovision |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/407067 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=ruv.is |publisher=RÚV}} RÚV's commentator for the contest, Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, opted not to resume his role for 2024 in response to the EBU's "lack of reaction" to Israel's offensive in Gaza.{{Cite news |last=Jónsson |first=Þorgils |date=2024-04-08 |title=Gísli Marteinn lýsir ekki Eurovision |trans-title=Gísli Marteinn will not comment Eurovision |url=https://nyr.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-04-08-gisli-marteinn-lysir-ekki-eurovision-409632 |access-date=2024-04-08 |newspaper=Rúv }}
• {{anchor|Ireland}}{{esccnty|Ireland|y=2024}}{{snd}}By mid-December 2023, Irish broadcaster RTÉ had received over 465 emails similarly urging it to boycott the event if Israel was permitted to compete, citing "the years of occupation and violence against Palestine"; RTÉ responded by stating that it had always approached the event as "a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together", arguing that no other broadcaster had expressed the intention to boycott it,{{Cite web |last=Pepper |first=Diarmuid |date=2023-12-13 |title=RTÉ receives close to 500 emails calling on it to boycott Eurovision due to Israel's involvement |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-petition-to-boycott-eurovision-israeli-involvement-6249120-Dec2023/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=TheJournal.ie}} with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish head of delegation Michael Kealy opposing the calls.{{Cite news |date=25 December 2023 |title=Leo Varadkar rejects calls to boycott Eurovision if Israel takes part |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/25/leo-varadkar-rejects-calls-boycott-eurovision-israel/ |access-date=25 December 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |last=Rowe |first=Callum |date=16 January 2024 |title=Michael Kealy not in favour of Israel Eurovision ban, happy to follow EBU stance |work=The Euro Trip Podcast |url=https://eurotrippodcast.com/2024/01/16/michael-kealy-not-in-favour-of-israel-eurovision-ban-happy-to-follow-ebu-stance/ |access-date=17 January 2024}}
• {{anchor|Finland}}{{esccnty|Finland|y=2024}}{{snd}}On 19 December 2023, Finnish broadcaster Yle stated that it had discussed the Gaza war situation with other Nordic broadcasters and monitored the EBU's stance, while also commenting that the war was not comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Tiikkaja |first=Samuli |date=2023-12-19 |title=Euroviisut {{!}} Suomea vaaditaan vetäytymään Euroviisuista Israelin takia, kertoo Ylen johtaja |trans-title=Finland is being asked to withdraw from Eurovision because of Israel, says Yle's manager |url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000010069053.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Helsingin Sanomat |language=fi}} The broadcaster decided to hold its Eurovision national final {{lang|fi|Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu}} (UMK) regardless of Finland's participation in Eurovision.{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Tal |date=2023-12-20 |title=פינלנד: ההצהרה השנויה במחלוקת בנוגע להשתתפות ישראל באירוויזיון |trans-title=Finland: the controversial statement regarding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2023/12/20/פינלנד-ההצהרה-השנויה-במחלוקת-בנוגע-לה/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=David |date=2023-12-20 |title=Finland: UMK account suggests possible Eurovision withdrawal over Israel's participation |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/12/20/finland-umk-account-suggests-possible-eurovision-withdrawl-over-israels-participation/278792/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Wiwibloggs}} In January 2024, a petition was signed by Finnish music industry professionals demanding the broadcaster to withdraw or pressure for Israel to be excluded, arguing that the contest offered the country a platform to "polish its image",{{cite web|last=Holmberg|first=Frida|url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/b250905c-7668-55c6-8483-31f0dc6bd23e|title=Musiker kräver bojkott – 'Hamas deltar inte i ESC, det gör Israel'|trans-title=Musicians demand a boycott – "Hamas doesn't take part in ESC, Israel does"|language=sv-FI|work=Hufvudstadsbladet|date=2024-01-10|access-date=2024-01-10}}{{Cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Phelan |date=2024-01-10 |title=Eurovision: Finnish artists want Israel barred from contest over Gaza war |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67941086 |access-date=2024-01-11 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}} with Yle responding that it would not oppose Israel's participation.{{Cite web |last=Vanha-Majamaa |first=Anton |date=2024-01-16 |title=Muusikot jättivät Ylelle vetoomuksen, jossa he vaativat Euroviisuihin Israel-boikottia |trans-title=The musicians submitted a petition to Yle in which they demanded a boycott of Israel in Eurovision |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20069650 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=yle.fi |publisher=Yle |language=fi}}
• {{anchor|Spain}}{{esccnty|Spain|y=2024}}{{snd}}Opposing earlier declarations by {{ill|María Eizaguirre|es}}, head of communications of Spanish broadcaster RTVE, that it would follow the EBU's stance,{{Cite web|last1=Pérez|first1=Laura|last2=Ruiz|first2=Adrián|date=2024-01-30|title=Inés Hernand, contra la participación de Israel en Eurovisión 2024: 'Está siendo una masacre, un genocidio'|trans-title=Inés Hernand against the participation of Israel in Eurovision 2024: "It's being a massacre, a genocide"|language=es-ES|url=https://www.eldiario.es/vertele/noticias/benidorm-fest-ines-hernand-participacion-israel-eurovision-2024-masacre-genocidio_1_10878549.html|access-date=2024-02-02|work=elDiario.es}} on 1 February 2024, Spanish left-wing party {{lang|es|Podemos|i=no}} submitted a proposal to the Congress of Deputies in order for the government and RTVE to lobby against the inclusion of Israel in the contest and urge other countries to do the same,{{Cite web|last=Cándido|first=Cristina|date=2024-02-02|title=Podemos registra una iniciativa en el Congreso para expulsar a Israel de Eurovisión|trans-title=Podemos submits an initiative to the Congress to expel Israel from Eurovision|language=es-ES|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/sociedad/2024/02/02/podemos-registra-iniciativa-congreso-expulsar-israel-eurovision/00031706864576945485564.htm|access-date=2024-02-02|work=La Voz de Galicia}}{{cite web|author=Marwa A.|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240201-spains-podemos-party-urges-boycott-of-israel-in-eurovision/|title=Spain's Podemos party urges boycott of Israel in Eurovision|work=Middle East Monitor|date=2024-02-01|access-date=2024-02-02}} with a contextual petition for withdrawal promoted within RTVE by Roberto Lakidain, representative of {{lang|es|Podemos|i=no}} in the broadcaster's board of directors.{{Cite web|last=Gutiérrez Martínez|first=Óscar|date=2024-02-02|title=Un consejero de RTVE pide que España boicotee a Israel en Eurovisión|trans-title=An RTVE board member requests that Spain boycott Israel at Eurovision|language=es-ES|url=https://www.elconfidencialdigital.com/articulo/medios/consejero-rtve-pide-que-espana-boicotee-israel-eurovision/20240202171325715881.html|access-date=2024-02-02|work=El Confidencial Digital}}
• {{anchor|Slovenia}}{{esccnty|Slovenia|y=2024}}{{snd}}Following public calls in the country for the exclusion of Israel, on 7 February 2024, Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO asked the EBU to hold extensive discussions with its member broadcasters regarding Israeli participation,{{Cite web |title=RTV Slovenija bo pozval EBU, naj glede sodelovanja Izraela opravi vsebinsko razpravo s članicami |trans-title=RTV Slovenia will ask the EBU to conduct a substantive discussion with its members regarding Israel's participation |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/zabava-in-slog/glasba/ema/rtv-slovenija-bo-pozval-ebu-naj-glede-sodelovanja-izraela-opravi-vsebinsko-razpravo-s-clanicami/697621 |date=7 February 2024 |access-date=10 February 2024 |publisher=RTVSLO |language=sl }}{{cite web |last1=Volk |first1=Luka |title=Slovenija bi Evrovizijo lahko pozvala k izločitvi Izraela |trans-title=Slovenia could call on Eurovision to exclude Israel |url=https://www.mladina.si/230310/slovenija-bi-evrovizijo-lahko-pozvala-k-izlocitvi-izraela/ |website=Mladina |access-date=10 February 2024}} ultimately receiving no response.{{Cite web |title=Na Evroviziji naj bi Izraelu zaradi politične vsebine zavrnili že drugo pesem |trans-title=It is the second time that Israel's song has been rejected at Eurovision because of its political content |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/zabava-in-slog/glasba/ema/na-evroviziji-naj-bi-izraelu-zaradi-politicne-vsebine-zavrnili-ze-drugo-pesem/700123 |date=1 March 2024 |access-date=2 March 2024 |publisher=RTVSLO |language=sl }}
• {{anchor|Belgium}}{{esccnty|Belgium|y=2024}}{{snd}}In early March 2024, Walloon minister of culture and media {{ill|Bénédicte Linard|fr||nl}} announced that she would formally request local broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium's participation in 2024) to push for the exclusion of Israel from the contest, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the exclusion of Russia in 2022; her Flemish counterpart Benjamin Dalle expressed support for the reasoning.{{cite web|last1=Noulet|first1=Jean-François|last2=Hermans|first2=R.|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/benedicte-linard-ecolo-ministre-de-la-culture-et-des-medias-souhaite-exclure-israel-du-concours-eurovision-11340158|title=Bénédicte Linard (Ecolo), ministre de la Culture et des Médias, souhaite exclure Israël du concours Eurovision|trans-title=Bénédicte Linard (Ecolo), minister of Culture and Media, wishes to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest|language=fr-BE|work=RTBF Actus|publisher=RTBF|date=2024-03-06|access-date=2024-03-07}}{{cite news|last=Van Campenhout|first=Charlotte|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/israel-should-be-dropped-eurovision-if-gaza-war-continues-say-belgian-ministers-2024-03-07/|title=Israel should be dropped from Eurovision if Gaza war continues, say Belgian ministers|publisher=Reuters|date=2024-03-07|access-date=2024-04-11}} In mid-April, a letter was signed by workers of the Belgian cultural sector demanding that the EBU, RTBF and Flemish broadcaster VRT "take the warnings of the International Court of Justice seriously", "make a statement against the genocide" and bar Israel from competing; VRT commented that it followed the EBU's stance, while RTBF did not respond.{{cite web|last=V. B.|first=Jasper|url=https://songfestival.be/malmo-2024/deel-belgische-cultuursector-publiceert-open-brief-over-israel-op-songfestival/|title=Deel Belgische cultuursector publiceert open brief over Israël op Songfestival|trans-title=Part of the Belgian cultural sector publishes an open letter about Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest|language=nl-BE|work=Songfestival.be|date=2024-04-19|access-date=2024-04-22}}
• {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2024}}{{snd}}In protest against the EBU's approval of the Israeli entry, the organisers of the Eurovision Party London screening event at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, East London, decided to cancel its 2024 edition; this drew criticism from the British National Jewish Assembly, with the EBU's response reiterating that Eurovision "is not a contest between governments".{{cite news|last1=Bodkin|first1=Henry|last2=Sawer|first2=Patrick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/23/eurovision-song-contest-event-london-rio-cancelled-israel/|title=Eurovision Song Contest party in London cancelled in protest at Israel|work=The Telegraph|date=2024-03-23|access-date=2024-03-29}}

Petitions and letters requesting the EBU to exclude Israel were also signed by several former Eurovision entrants or intended entrants, including Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir ({{esccnty|Iceland|y=2006|t=Iceland 2006}} as Silvía Night), Malena Ernman ({{esccnty|Sweden|y=2009|t=Sweden 2009}}), Eric Saade ({{esccnty|Sweden|y=2011|t=Sweden 2011}}), Hatari ({{esccnty|Iceland|y=2019|t=Iceland 2019}}), Ben Dolic ({{esccnty|Germany|y=2020|t=Germany 2020}}), Montaigne ({{esccnty|Australia|y=2020|t=Australia 2020}} and {{esccnty|Australia|y=2021|t=2021}}) and La Zarra ({{esccnty|France|y=2023|t=France 2023}}).{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{cite web|last=Gunnarsson|first=Björgvin|url=https://www.mannlif.is/frettir/innlent/hatari-og-agusta-eva-vilja-banna-israel-i-eurovision-i-ar-thad-er-kominn-timi-til-ad-bregdast-vid/|title=Hatari og Ágústa Eva vilja banna Ísrael í Eurovision í ár: 'Það er kominn tími til að bregðast við'|trans-title=Hatari and Ágústa Eva want to ban Israel from Eurovision this year: "It's time to act"|language=is|work=Mannlíf|date=2022-01-18|access-date=2024-01-22}}{{cite tweet|user=thisisbendolic|last=Dolic|first=Ben|number=1748065292960370806|title=signed an open letter to the EBU|access-date=2024-01-19}}{{cite web|last=Bahr|first=Jessica|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australias-ex-eurovision-star-montaigne-calls-for-israel-to-be-dropped-from-the-song-contest/vzccpqoy6|title=Australia's ex-Eurovision star Montaigne calls for Israel to be dropped from the song contest|publisher=SBS|date=2024-01-12|access-date=2024-01-19}}{{cite web|last=Bertran|first=Jaume|url=https://www.eurobloc.cat/?p=21819|title=La Zarra i Montaigne subscriuen la petició que demana vetar Israel a Malmö|trans-title=|language=ca|work=Eurobloc.cat|date=2024-01-12|access-date=2024-01-19}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/esc-2024-in-malmoe-1005-schwedische-musikacts-fordern-israel-ausschluss-a-fff11cb7-9118-40bc-a2b4-715e485d9893|title=Über 1000 schwedische Musikacts fordern ESC ohne Israel|trans-title=Over 1,000 Swedish musicians call for ESC without Israel|language=de|work=Der Spiegel|date=2024-01-29|access-date=2024-01-29}}}} A letter advocating for Israel's continued inclusion was proposed by the Creative Community for Peace organisation; among the over 400 signatories to the letter are Scooter Braun, Harvey Mason Jr. and Helen Mirren.{{Cite web |last=Yossman |first=K. J. |date=2024-02-14 |title=Scooter Braun, Emmy Rossum and Helen Mirren Among 400 Stars Supporting Israel's Inclusion in Eurovision |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/global/israel-eurovision-open-letter-scooter-braun-1235910561/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=2024-02-15 |title=Gene Simmons, Helen Mirren, Boy George sign open letter supporting Israel's inclusion in Eurovision |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/15/gene-simmons-helen-mirren-boy-george-sign-open-letter-supporting-israels-inclusion-in-eurovision |access-date=2024-02-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} While not mentioning Israel's participation in the contest, on 29 March 2024, several entrants{{snd}}namely Bambie Thug (Ireland), {{lang|no|Gåte|i=no}} (Norway), Iolanda ({{esccnty|Portugal|y=2024}}), Megara ({{esccnty|San Marino|y=2024}}), Mustii (Belgium), Nemo ({{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2024}}), Olly Alexander (United Kingdom), Saba (Denmark), Silvester Belt ({{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2024}}) and Windows95man (Finland){{snd}}released a joint statement calling for "an immediate and lasting ceasefire" in Gaza, as well as the return of the Israeli hostages.{{cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |title=Eurovision: Olly Alexander and other competitors reject calls to boycott over Israel participation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/mar/29/eurovision-olly-alexander-and-other-competitors-reject-calls-to-boycott-over-israel-participation |work=The Guardian |date=29 March 2024 |access-date=4 April 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Mancheño |first=José Miguel |date=2024-03-29 |title=Varios artistas de Eurovisión 2024 firman un comunicado conjunto pidiendo un alto al fuego en Gaza |trans-title=Various Eurovision 2024 artists sign a joint statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2024/varios-artistas-de-eurovision-2024-firman-un-comunicado-conjunto-pidiendo-un-alto-al-fuego-en-gaza/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=ESCplus España |language=es-ES}} Saade, who has Palestinian roots, criticised the EBU's handling of the matter as "disgraceful", and referred to the inclusion of Israel as "propaganda". He further defended his presence as the opening act of the first semi-final "crucial" for Palestinian representation,{{Cite web |last=Torbjörn |first=Ek |date=2024-05-07 |title=Eric Saade gör Eurovisions öppningsakt – i protest mot Israel |trans-title=Eric Saade is the Eurovision opening act – in protest against Israel |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen/a/QMlzPP/eurovision-eric-saade-medverkar-pa-scenen-i-protest-mot-israel-och-ebu |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Aftonbladet |language=sv}} and upheld this by wearing a keffiyeh on his arm for his performance.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/05/08/eric-saade-palestine-keffiyeh-protest-israel-eurovision-participation/281546/ |title='It's sad he used his participation this way' — Eurovision producer criticizes Eric Saade over Palestine keffiyeh |date=8 May 2024 |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Wiwibloggs}}

File:Protests against Israel outside Melodifestivalen 2024.jpg in Eskilstuna]]

A number of national selection events were disrupted by activists calling for a boycott in the lead-up to the event, including Norway's {{lang|no|Melodi Grand Prix|i=no}},{{Cite web |last=Tjoflot |first=Eirin |date=13 January 2024 |title=Raudt-politikar kuppa MGP-sendinga |trans-title=Red Party politician takes over the MGP broadcast |url=https://www.nrk.no/norge/demonstrasjon-utanfor-nrk-for-forste-delfinale-av-mgp-1.16715119 |access-date=14 January 2024 |publisher=NRK |language=nn-NO}} Spain's Benidorm Fest,{{Cite tweet |number=1754238735661613550 |user=GHermaite |title=Veremos si Eurovision se niega a subir la actuación de Nebulossa en la final del Benidorm Fest o acaba subiendo la de la semifinal. En la de la final salen dos banderas de Palestina |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=es-ES |trans-title=Let's see if Eurovision refuses to upload Nebulossa's performance in the final of Benidorm Fest or ends up uploading the one from the semi-final. In the one from the final two flags of Palestine appear}} Sweden's {{lang|sv|Melodifestivalen|i=no}},{{Cite web |last1=Rätzer |first1=Sarah |last2=Loberg |first2=Therese |date=12 February 2024 |title=Aktivisterna: Därför kuppade vi i Mello |trans-title=Activists: That's why we staged a protests in Mello |url=https://www.expressen.se/noje/melodifestivalen/aktivisterna-darfor-kuppade-vi-i-mello/ |access-date=18 February 2024 |website=Expressen |language=sv}} Denmark's {{lang|da|Dansk Melodi Grand Prix|i=unset}},{{Cite web |last=Lagoni Pedersen |first=Marie |date=17 February 2024 |title=Melodi Grand Prix blev skudt i gang med demonstration: Vil have Israel udelukket fra Eurovision |trans-title=Melodi Grand Prix was kicked off with a demonstration: Want Israel excluded from Eurovision |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/melodi-grand-prix-blev-skudt-i-gang-med-demonstration-vil-have-israel-udelukket-fra |access-date=18 February 2024 |publisher=DR |language=da-DK}} and Finland's {{lang|fi|Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu}};{{Cite web |date=10 February 2024 |title=UMK {{!}} Kolmisensataa ihmistä osoitti mieltään Tampereella – vaatimuksena Israel ulos Euroviisuista |trans-title=UMK {{!}} Three hundred people showed their opinion in Tampere – demanding Israel out of Eurovision |url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010218943.html |access-date=18 February 2024 |website=Helsingin Sanomat |language=fi}} in addition, Dargen D'Amico and Ghali's statements calling for a ceasefire and an end to the "genocide" during their performances at Italy's Sanremo Music Festival caused public reactions by Italian broadcaster RAI and the Israeli ambassador to the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2024/02/le-critiche-allappello-di-ghali-stop-al-genocidio----dfb11f1b-6e36-4bcd-8053-1e5a32f72314.html|title=Le critiche all'appello di Ghali 'Stop al genocidio'|trans-title=Criticism to Ghali's call "Stop the genocide"|language=it|work=Rai News|publisher=RAI|date=2024-02-11|access-date=2024-02-11}} Demonstrations against Israeli participation also took place in the host city of Malmö,{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Kathryn |date=9 May 2024 |title=Eurovision: Thousands protest against Israel's entry in Malmo |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68986410 |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}} with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu commenting that Golan had "already won" against what he referred to as a "horrible wave of antisemitism" in Sweden.

Boycott campaigns, such as the BDS movement's Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), as well as by LGBT organisations Queers in Palestine, Queers for Palestine and Queer Coalition for Palestine, argued that Israel's participation in the contest{{snd}}widely regarded as an LGBT-inclusive event{{snd}}was an attempt to "pinkwash", "whitewash" and "artwash" its apartheid policies and the "ongoing genocide" against Palestinians.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{cite web|url=https://bdsmovement.net/boycott-eurovision-2024|title=Boycott Eurovision 2024 over genocidal Israel's participation|work=bdsmovement.net|publisher=Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|date=2024-03-02|access-date=2024-04-11|archive-date=13 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413164259/https://bdsmovement.net/boycott-eurovision-2024|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Power|first=Shannon|url=https://www.newsweek.com/eurovision-boycott-israel-ban-gaza-1865224|title=Eurovision's Israel Dilemma|work=Newsweek|date=2024-02-16|access-date=2024-04-11}}{{cite web|url=https://listennotes.com/podcasts/a-muslim-a-jew-go/eurovision-queers-for-pux81PQj2CZ/|title=Eurovision & Queers for Palestine, Israeli 'Pink-Washing', Battles Over BDS & Tackling the Taliban|work=A Muslim & A Jew Go There|via=Listen Notes|date=2024-04-04|access-date=2024-04-11}}{{cite Instagram|author=Queer Coalition for Palestine|user=queercoalitionforpalestine|postid=C5lrhrVorNa|title=We call on the global queer community to join us as we|date=2024-04-11|access-date=2024-04-11}}}} The refusal of the EBU to discuss Israel's participation was also attributed by some to Moroccanoil, the main sponsor of the event since 2020, being an Israeli company, though no definitive link between the two was proven.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{Cite web |last=López |first=Estrella |title=Moroccanoil, la empresa de Israel que patrocina Eurovisión 2024 por tercer año consecutivo |trans-title=Moroccanoil, the Israeli company that sponsors Eurovision 2024 for the third consecutive year |url=https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/cultura/moroccanoil-empresa-israel-que-patrocina-eurovision-2024-tercer-ano-consecutivo_20240510663e35bac0b95c00017ee2c3.html |date=2024-05-10 |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=LaSexta |publisher=Atresmedia |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last=Sajovic |first=Kaja |title=Ali Izrael ni bil izključen, ker je glavni pokrovitelj in partner Evrovizije izraelsko podjetje? |trans-title=Wasn't Israel excluded because the main sponsor and partner of Eurovision is an Israeli company? |url=https://www.rtvslo.si/zabava-in-slog/glasba/ema/ali-izrael-ni-bil-izkljucen-ker-je-glavni-pokrovitelj-in-partner-evrovizije-izraelsko-podjetje/707913 |date=2024-05-11 |access-date=2024-05-27 |publisher=RTVSLO |language=sl}}{{Cite web |title=Qué es Moroccanoil, la empresa israelí que patrocina Eurovisión 2024 |trans-title=What is Moroccanoil, the Israeli company sponsoring Eurovision 2024? |url=https://www.ondacero.es/noticias/cultura/que-moroccanoil-empresa-israeli-que-patrocina-eurovision-2024-tercer-ano-consecutivo_20240511663fb0668e66020001db4aa1.html |date=2024-05-11 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Onda Cero |publisher=Atresmedia |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last=Østbø |first=Stein |title=Eurovision: Moroccanoil fortsetter som hovedsponsor |trans-title=Eurovision: Moroccanoil continues as main sponsor |url=https://www.vg.no/rampelys/musikk/i/PpRQ4p/eurovision-morocconoil-fortsetter-som-hovedsponsor |date=2024-05-31 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=VG |language=nb}}}}

On 9 April 2024, the EBU released a statement by deputy director-general Jean Philip De Tender addressing "targeted social media campaigns" against participating artists, reportedly over the insufficient pressure put on the union to exclude Israel. De Tender stated that the inclusion of a country in the contest "is the sole responsibility of the EBU's governing bodies and not that of the individual artists", condemning abuse or harassment directed at the performers while also defending the rationale whereby Kan had been allowed to take part;{{cite press release |url=https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/release/ebu-statement-esc-2024-artists |title=EBU Statement on abuse and harassment of ESC 2024 Artists |date=9 April 2024 |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}} this was reiterated by the contest's executive supervisor Martin Österdahl in an interview with {{lang|sv|Dagens industri}} on 27 April.{{Cite web |last=Sandholm Hellner |first=Annika |date=2024-04-27 |title='Vi kommer att slå tillbaka rätt hårt' |trans-title=We will fight back quite hard |url=https://www.di.se/nyheter/vi-kommer-att-sla-tillbaka-ratt-hart/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Dagens industri |language=sv}}{{Cite web |last=Casewell |first=Jonathan |date=2024-04-29 |title=Martin Österdahl: 'We've been a little unlucky this year' |url=https://thateurovisionsite.com/2024/04/29/martin-osterdahl-interview-eurovision-2024/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=That Eurovision Site |language=en-GB}} A FAQ page on Israel's participation was additionally created on the official website of the contest.{{cite web|last=Stephenson|first=James|url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/04/09/ebu-releases-statement-regarding-treatment-of-eurovision-2024-artists/|title=EBU Releases Statement Regarding Treatment of Eurovision 2024 Artists|date=9 April 2024|access-date=9 April 2024|website=Eurovoix}}

• The EBU's decision to maintain Israel as a participant was compared to its decision to exclude Russia in 2022 following protests by several participating broadcasters{{snd}}including the aforementioned NRK, SVT, AVROTROS, DR, RÚV and Yle{{snd}}over the country's invasion of Ukraine, with some accusing the EBU of "hypocrisy" and exhibiting "double standards".{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{Cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |author-link=Philip Oltermann |date=2024-01-29 |title=Swedish music stars call for Israel Eurovision ban over Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/jan/29/swedish-music-stars-call-for-israel-eurovision-ban-over-gaza |access-date=2024-02-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Keskin |first=Buse |date=2024-02-08 |title=Eurovision double standard? Russia excluded, Israel boycott ignored |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/eurovision-double-standard-russia-excluded-israel-boycott-ignored/news |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Shankar |first=Priyanka |date=6 February 2024 |title=Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision 2024: European politicians |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/6/israel-should-be-disqualified-from-eurovision-2024-european-politicians |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=Al Jazeera English |publisher=Al Jazeera}}}}
• In 2019, when it was held in Tel Aviv, the contest faced calls for boycott over allegations of pinkwashing and artwashing; RÚV was fined for political content after its entrant Hatari displayed banners featuring the Palestinian flag during the final.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{Cite web |last=Pollet |first=Mathieu |date=2 February 2024 |title=Israel faces Europe's ultimate threat: Getting kicked out of Eurovision |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-eurovision-song-contest-hamas-war-finland-sweden/ |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=Politico Europe}}{{cite news|last=Soussi|first=Alasdair|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/13/why-was-israel-forced-to-change-its-song-entry-for-eurovision|title=Why was Israel forced to change its song entry for Eurovision?|work=Al Jazeera English|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-04-11}}}}

File:Michal Herzog in Beit HaNassi, April 2024 (GPOHZ0 2115).jpg and first lady Michal Herzog before leaving for Malmö]]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progressed to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country would perform in; the EBU split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.{{cite web|last=Van Dijk|first=Sem Anne|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/12/13/eurovision-2024-allocation-draw-january-30/|title=Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Allocation Draw on January 30|work=Eurovoix|date=2023-12-13|access-date=2023-12-13}} At the request of Kan, Israel was allocated to the second semi-final as the rehearsal date for the first one coincides with {{lang|he-Latn|Yom HaShoah|i=no}};{{Cite web |last=Israel |first=Harel |date=2024-01-30 |title=אירוויזיון 2024: ישראל תתמודד בחלקו השני של חצי הגמר השני |trans-title=Eurovision 2024: Israel will compete in the second half of the second semi-final |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/01/30/אירוויזיון-2024-ישראל-תתמודד-בחלקו-השני-ש/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}} the country was drawn to perform in the second half of the show.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-30 |title=Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-semi-final-draw-results |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en}} The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Israel was set to perform in position 14.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Running Orders revealed! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-semi-final-running-orders-revealed |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en-gb }}

In Israel, all three shows of the contest were broadcast on Kan 11, with commentary provided by {{ill|Asaf Liberman|he|אסף ליברמן}} and {{ill|Akiva Novick|he|עקיבא נוביק}}; {{ill|Yoav Tzafir|he|יואב צפיר}} joined them for the final.{{Cite web |last=Mishali |first=Gil |date=2024-02-25 |title=אסף ליברמן ועקיבא נוביק יפרשנו את האירוויזיון גם השנה |trans-title=Asaf Lieberman and Akiva Novick will commentate on Eurovision again this year |url=https://www.mako.co.il/press_and_marketing-news_press/Article-057ee0967e0ed81026.htm |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Mako |language=he}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=קול חדש לישראל באירוויזיון: זה האיש שמצטרף לעמדת השידור |trans-title=A new voice for Israel at Eurovision: this is the man who joins the broadcasting station |url=https://www.ice.co.il/tv/news/article/1004703 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Ice |language=he}}{{cite web |title=לוח שידורים כאן 11 |trans-title=Kan 11 schedule |url=https://www.kan.org.il/tv-guide/?channelId=4444 |publisher=Kan |access-date=5 May 2024 |language=he}} The final was also aired on radio via Kan 88, {{ill|Kan Tarbut|he|כאן תרבות}} and {{ill|Kan Bet|he|כאן ב}}.{{cite web |title=לוח שידורים כאן 88 |trans-title=Kan 88 schedule |url=https://www.kan.org.il/tv-guide/?channelId=4504&day=11-05-2024 |publisher=Kan |access-date=5 May 2024 |language=he}}{{cite web |title=לוח שידורים כאן תרבות |trans-title=Kan Tarhut schedule |url=https://www.kan.org.il/tv-guide/?channelId=4497&day=11-05-2024 |publisher=Kan |access-date=5 May 2024 |language=he}}{{cite web |title=לוח שידורים כאן ב |trans-title=Kan Bet schedule |url=https://www.kan.org.il/tv-guide/?channelId=4483&day=11-05-2024 |publisher=Kan |access-date=5 May 2024 |language=he}}

Due to the controversy surrounding Israel's participation, Shin Bet sent "a much higher caliber of security team" which worked with Swedish security officials to protect the Israeli delegation; Shin Bet's head Ronen Bar traveled to Malmö the week prior to the contest to help coordinate the security arrangements.{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |last2=Spiro |first2=Amy |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Shin Bet head visits Malmo to coordinate security for Israel’s Eurovision entry |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-head-said-to-visit-malmo-to-coordinate-security-for-israels-eurovision-entry/ |publisher=The Times of Israel}} As part of the procedures, Golan wore a disguise whenever she was outdoors.{{cite news |date=July 11, 2024 |title=Eden Golan reveals she had to wear disguise in Malmo during Eurovision |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/eden-golan-reveals-she-had-to-wear-disguise-in-malmo-during-eurovision/ |publisher=The Times of Israel}} The National Security Council of Israel issued a Level 3 threat advisory for Israelis traveling to Malmö, stating that there was "a well-founded fear" of a terror attack against Israelis attending the contest.{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Lazar |last2=Fabian |first2=Emanuel |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Israel raises travel warning to Sweden’s Malmo ahead of Eurovision |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-raises-travel-warning-to-swedens-malmo-ahead-of-eurovision/ |publisher=The Times of Israel}}

Eden Golan took part in technical rehearsals on 30 April and 3 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May.{{cite web |title=Eurovision 2024: Rehearsal Schedule |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2024-rehearsal-schedule |work=Eurovisionworld |access-date=25 April 2024 |date=25 April 2024}} The staging of her performance of "Hurricane" at the contest is directed by Tzafir and Avichai Hacham, with five dancers accompanying the artist on stage and costumes designed by Alon Livne,{{Cite web |last=Zaikaner |first=Avi |date=2024-04-23 |title=ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: פרטים חדשים על הביצוע של עדן גולן בתחרות - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Israel in Eurovision 2024: New details about Eden Golan's performance in the competition |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/04/23/ישראל-באירוויזיון-2024-פרטים-חדשים-על-הבי/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=Swissa |first=Eran |date=2024-04-21 |title='מרשה לעצמי לפנטז': עדן גולן מסתערת על אירופה |trans-title="I allow myself to fantasize": Eden Golan conquers Europe |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/magazine/shishabat/article/15624971 |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Israel Hayom |language=he}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=ESC2024: Organização não aprovou algumas propostas de figurino para Eden Golan usar no Festival Eurovisão 2024 |trans-title=ESC2024: Organisation did not approve some costume proposals for Eden Golan to wear at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 |url=https://www.escportugal.pt/2024/04/esc2024-organizacao-nao-aprovou-algumas.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=ESC Portugal |language=pt-PT}} as well as the usage of a ring-shaped prop.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=Israel: All the Details About Eden Golan's First Rehearsal |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/04/30/israel-all-the-details-about-eden-golans-first-rehearsal/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Eurovoix}} Livne claimed that the organisers explicitly instructed him against using any symbolism that might have political references to "the situation in Israel", rejecting a number of costume proposals. However, the chosen costumes have been said to resemble bandages, evoking thoughts of a hurt, wounded, and healing nation.{{Cite news |last=Yaacov |first=Itay |date=2024-05-01 |title=Bandages and hint of bleeding wounds: Eden Golan's dramatic Eurovision dress |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/bjopsuyf0 |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}

Golan's performances throughout the contest were met with booing,{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Brooke Ivey |date=8 May 2024 |title=Israel's Eurovision performance drowned out by boos and 'Free Palestine' chants at Jury Show |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/08/israels-eurovision-performance-drowned-boos-free-palestine-chants-20802588/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |newspaper=Metro}}{{cite news |last1=Rackham |first1=Annabelle |date=9 May 2024 |title=Israel Eurovision entrant booed during rehearsal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjewg9enx27o |access-date=10 May 2024 |newspaper=BBC News Online |publisher=BBC}}{{Cite news |last=Ascione |first=Arianna |date=9 May 2024 |title=Eurovision 2024, la cantante israeliana Eden Golan passa in finale ma viene fischiata sul palco. I cantanti della seconda semifinale: Angelina Mango è già qualificata |trans-title=Eurovision 2024, Israeli singer Eden Golan advances to the final but is booed on stage. The singers from the second semi-final: Angelina Mango is pre-qualified |url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/eurovision/24_maggio_09/scaletta-eurovision-2024-stasera-semifinale-c707a728-4ff1-4cad-887e-73f58afedxlk.shtml |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=Corriere della Sera |language=it}} prompting Kan to file complaints to the EBU.

The EBU strove to keep any potentially politically coded messages out of the contest, but numerous other participants engaged in actions that were perceived as such, without directly criticising Israel's participation.{{Cite web |date=8 May 2024 |title=Eurovision 2024: EBU Endeavours to Keep Political Messages Out of Eurovision |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/05/08/eurovision-2024-ebu-political-messages/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=Eurovoix}}{{cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=29 March 2024 |title=Eurovision: Olly Alexander and other competitors reject calls to boycott over Israel participation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/mar/29/eurovision-olly-alexander-and-other-competitors-reject-calls-to-boycott-over-israel-participation |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=The Guardian}} ACOD-VRT, the internal socialist trade union of Flemish broadcaster VRT, aired a statement before and after the broadcast of the second semi-final and the final, denouncing Israel's human rights violations and accusing the country of "destroying freedom of the press".{{cite web |date=10 May 2024 |title=Belgium: VRT's Semi-Final Two Coverage Interrupted by Call for Ceasefire |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/05/09/belgium-vrts-semi-final-two-coverage-interrupted-call-for-ceasefire/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Eurovoix}}

File:Eden Golan Semi Final 2 Press Conference.jpg

Israel performed in position 14, following the entry from {{esccnty|Estonia|y=2024}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Norway|y=2024}}. At the end of the show, the country was announced as a qualifier for the final.

Following the semi-final, Israel drew "producer's choice" for the final, meaning that the country would perform in the half decided by the contest's producers.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Eurovision 2024: The Second Semi-Final Qualifiers |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-second-semi-final-qualifiers |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}} Israel was set to perform in position 6, following the entry from the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2024}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2024}}; the Netherlands was later disqualified from the final, resulting in the entry from {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=2024}}, which was set to perform in position 4, preceding Israel in the actual show.{{Cite web |date=9 May 2024 |title=Eurovision 2024: The Grand Final running order |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-final-running-order |work=Eurovoix}} Golan once again took part in dress rehearsals on 10 and 11 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show on 11 May. She performed a repeat of their semi-final performance during the final on 11 May. Israel placed fifth in the final, scoring 375 points; 323 points from the public televoting and 52 points from the juries.

{{see also|Voting at the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to and by Israel in the second semi-final and in the final. Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding sets of points from 1–8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting in the final vote, while the semi-final vote was based entirely on the vote of the public.{{cite web |title=Voting Procedures 2024 |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/voting-malmo-2024 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520034246/https://eurovision.tv/about/voting-malmo-2024 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |url-status=live}} The Israeli jury consisted of Yaron Ashbel, Shlomit Dersso, Maya Opal Drukman, Kobi Marimi (who represented {{esccnty|Israel|y=2019|t=Israel in 2019}}), and May Sfadia.{{cite web|title=Grand Final of Malmö 2024 – Jurors|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024/grand-final/jury|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=23 May 2024}} In the second semi-final, Israel placed first with 194 points, receiving the maximum twelve points from {{esccnty|Albania|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2024|name=Czechia}}, {{esccnty|Denmark|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|France|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Italy|y=2024}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Norway|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Spain|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2024}} and the Rest of the World vote. In the final, Israel placed fifth with 375 points, receiving twelve points from {{esccnty|Australia|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Belgium|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|Finland|y=2024}}, France, {{esccnty|Germany|y=2024}}, Italy, {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=2024}}, the Netherlands, {{esccnty|Portugal|y=2024}}, {{esccnty|San Marino|y=2024}}, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2024}} and the Rest of the World in the televote.

Public votes for Israel were boosted by a campaign by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Advertising Office, which featured Golan asking for support in French, Italian, Spanish, German, Czech, Latvian, Estonian, Albanian, Georgian and English. The campaign stated, "In light of the wave of hatred and Muslim demonstrations in Malmö, a counter-reaction by the silent majority is taking place. Europeans don't like what their eyes see."{{Cite news |date=12 May 2024 |title=יש לא מעט הפתעות: אלה המדינות שבהן הקהל נתן 12 נקודות לעדן גולן |trans-title=There are quite a few surprises: these are the countries where the audience gave 12 points to Eden Golan |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sykjyhaza |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514143321/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sykjyhaza |archive-date=14 May 2024 |work=Ynet | language=he}}

Over the course of the contest, Israel awarded its 12 points to {{esccnty|Armenia|y=2024}} in the second semi-final, and to {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=2024}} in both the jury and televote in the final.{{cite web|title=Results of the Second Semi-Final of Malmö 2024 – Israel|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024/second-semi-final/results/israel|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|access-date=22 May 2024}}{{cite web|title=Results of the Final of Malmö 2024 – Israel|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024/grand-final/results/israel|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|access-date=22 May 2024}}

Kan appointed {{ill|Maya Alkulumbre|he|מאיה אלקולומברה}} as its spokesperson to announce the Israeli jury's votes in the final.{{Cite web |last=Feder |first=Hen |date=2024-05-07 |title=מאיה אלקולומברה תגיש את הניקוד הישראלי בגמר אירוויזיון 2024 - אירוויזיון 2024 |trans-title=Maya Alkulumbre will present the Israeli score in the Eurovision 2024 final |url=https://www.euromix.co.il/2024/05/07/מאיה-אלקולומברה-תגיש-את-הניקוד-הישראל/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=EuroMix |language=he-IL}}

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Each participating broadcaster assembles a five-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent. Each jury, and individual jury member, is required to meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. No member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.{{cite web |title=How the Eurovision Song Contest works |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/how-it-works |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=22 May 2024}} The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.

The following members comprised the Israeli jury:

• {{ill|Yaron Ashbel|he|ירון אשבל}}
• {{ill|Eden Dersso|he|עדן דרסו}}
• Maya Opal Drukman
• Kobi Marimi
• {{ill|May Sfadia|he|מאי ספדיה}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2024}}

2024

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Eurovision

Category:Political controversies in television

Category:Reactions to the Israel–Hamas war

Category:Television controversies in Sweden

Category:2024 controversies