Amid all the protests and calls for boycotts launched against Israel's Eurovision candidate, Eden Golan, she managed to advance to the grand finals of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
Golan was added to the list of grand finalists after being voted by fans from the countries participating in the semifinals and those who aren't in the contest.
USA Today reports that Golan was among the ten finalists who emerged as the top 10 in the second semifinals. The other artists who advanced were Marina Satti (Greece), Nemo (Switzerland), Kaleen (Austria), LADANIVA (Armenia), Dons (Latvia), Nutsa Buzaladze (Georgia), 5MIINUST x Puuluup (Estonia), Gåte (Norway), and Joost Klein (Netherlands).
Speaking to reporters, Golan responded to the backlash she has received throughout the competition.
"Well, I'm here. I'm doing what I love most. I'm focused on my music, on the good energy, and there is so many people supporting me and I feel like I have such an honor to represent my country especially in these times," she explained. "I'm just focused on that and doing the best job ever, giving the best performance, and showing our voice."
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The Independent has reported that over 10,000-12,000 pro-Palestine protesters have shown up in Malmo, Sweden, the host city of Eurovision 2024, to protest Israel's inclusion in this year's events amid the country's siege at the Gaza Strip.
Golan's security detail has been beefed up because the Israeli-Russian singer has received various death threats due to backlash about her inclusion in the competition.
"I won't let anything break me, or move me off track," she told The New York Times. "I am here to show the voice of an entire nation. To show that we're here, that we are strong, but emotional and broken."
Golan was reportedly booed during the dress rehearsals for the second semifinals of Eurovision 2024.
"What's under my control is to give the best performance ever, to touch people's souls, to make them feel something," Golan said. "I know I'm not in this alone. Maybe I'm the one standing on stage performing and singing, but I have our entire country behind me and with me and I'm going to represent us."
Golan advanced to the grand finals of Eurovision 2024 with her song "Hurricane." She will face off against contestants from Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and more.
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