Golan’s emotional performance of ‘Hurricane’ secures her place in the final

Eden Golan, a 20-year-old Israeli artist, has secured a spot in the Eurovision final in Malmo, Sweden, following a successful public vote. Her performance of “Hurricane,” a reworked version of her earlier song “October Rain,” captured the audience’s attention. The emotional track is said to symbolically reference the ongoing conflict in Israel, particularly the recent attacks from Hamas.

As Golan took the stage, she received a mix of applause and protests, with some audience members reportedly shouting “free Palestine” during the rehearsals earlier in the week. Despite the tense atmosphere, the event’s organisers stated that they would not censor audience reactions. Golan performed in a flowing sand-coloured dress and opened with a dramatic back bend, which contributed to the positive reception.

The Eurovision semi-finals were marked by heightened political tensions, with thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators taking to the streets of Malmo, expressing solidarity with Gaza and voicing their opposition to Israel’s participation in the contest. Golan’s advancement to the final comes amid these protests, adding a layer of controversy to the ongoing event.

Other notable performers who made it to the final include Switzerland’s Nemo, with his operatic-pop song “The Code,” and Norway’s Gate, who performed the folk-inspired “Ulveham.”