Israel is threatening to withdraw from Eurovision over a Hamas 7 October reference in their song as calls for boycott over Gaza war in Palestine

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Israel has threatened to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if organisers strive to censor its 2024 song entry.

Eden Golan, who was introduced as the nation’s consultant earlier this month, was due to sing “October Rain” on the contest in Malmo, Sweden, in May.

However, a row has now errupted after leaked lyrics confirmed that the song seems to reference the 7 October assault by Hamas, in accordance to the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the annual competitors, describes the song contest as a non-political occasion, and maintains its proper to disqualify contestants who break this rule.

Israel says it won’t compete in the competitors this 12 months if its lyrics are usually not authorized. The song is at the moment being reviewed by the EBU.

A supply in nationwide broadcaster KAN, which sponsors the Israeli entry, confirmed to Reuters that the leaked lyrics have been correct.

“The EBU is currently in the process of scrutinising the lyrics, a process which is confidential between the EBU and the broadcaster until a final decision has been taken,” a spokesperson mentioned.

“If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics.”

Israel’s broadcaster, KAN, have mentioned they’ll reject any try to alter their entry.

“It should be noted that as far as the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is concerned there is no intention to replace the song,” KAN’s assertion mentioned.

“This means that if it is not approved by the European Broadcasting Union, Israel will not be able to participate in the competition, which will take place in Sweden next May.”

Golan, who was born in Israel however raised in Russia, would change into the nation’s forty sixth look in the competitors if she participated. Israel grew to become the primary non-European entrant in the competitors’s historical past when it joined in 1973.

In earlier years, nations have been pressured to change their lyrics by the EBU. Georgia withdrew from the competition in 2009 after its song was rejected for making references to Russia’s prime minister on the time, Vladimir Putin.

It comes as the competitors has confronted rising calls for a boycott amid the nation’s ongoing navy motion in Gaza.

Last month, Iceland’s Association of Composers and Lyricists referred to as for Israel to be suspended from the competitors in a assertion saying its participation in an occasion “characterised by joy and optimism” can be incompatible with its navy actions.

The organisation mentioned it might be opposing Iceland’s inclusion in the competition except Israel was disqualified. A petition calling for the identical gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Other nations together with Sweden, Finland and Denmark have additionally referred to as for the nation to be pulled from the competitors.

Responding to calls for a boycott, the EBU mentioned final month: “The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.”

The Independent has reached out to Eden Golan’s workforce for remark.