Israel has agreed to change the name and lyrics of its Eurovision song entry, initially titled "October Rain," which was disqualified for being deemed "too political." The country's second entry, "Dancing Forever," was also rejected. This decision comes amid calls from Nordic artists for Israel's suspension from the Eurovision competition, drawing parallels to Russia's past disqualification over the Ukraine invasion. However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has resisted removing Israel from the contest, stating the situation with Gaza is different from Ukraine. President Herzog has been instrumental in the effort to change the song's lyrics since October 7, marking an unprecedented milestone in Israeli diplomacy.
Calls for Israel's suspension from Eurovision emerge from Nordic artists, drawing parallels to Russia's past disqualification over the Ukraine invasion. The EBU asserts Gaza is different to Ukraine, resisting removal of Israel from the contest https://t.co/EtfTR8yrHS
We are deeply indebted to President Herzog, who has made changing the lyrics of our Eurovision song the hallmark of his Presidency since October 7, and an unprecedented milestone in Israeli diplomacy. No other Israeli President before him has ever achieved anything like it. https://t.co/B1QOitgNlh
🎤Israel to change Eurovision song's name and lyrics amid political pressure, in order to allow the country to participate in the annual song contest. https://t.co/hGBvwhrrTQ
Israel’s second entry into the Eurovision competition, which is open to several non-European countries such as Turkey and Morocco, titled “Dancing Forever” has been rejected, with their first song, "October Rain" having been disqualified after being deemed “too political.”… https://t.co/wgY3bPF8OO
This announcement from @kann essentially puts the ball in the court of the EBU - will it still disqualify Israel after it agreed to change the song to fit its demands? https://t.co/W8EwFqyH9Z