Israel Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2024 as Lyrics Pass Review
Israel has formally confirmed its participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, a decision that shapes one of the year’s most watched cultural events. The confirmation arrived Thursday afternoon, with the public broadcaster KAN relaying the news after it had been reported by multiple media outlets across Israel. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has given its sign-off on Israel’s entry, signaling that the country will indeed compete in the next edition of the music competition. This confirmation follows widespread coverage in Hebrew-language media and marks a pivotal moment for the contest’s 2024 lineup.
In parallel, Israeli television indicated that the EBU approved the lyrics of the song Hurricane, the entry chosen for the contest. The song is set to be premiered on Sunday, March 10, accompanied by special programs across various channels and digital platforms. The anticipated launch promises to introduce audiences to the track ahead of the contest’s official schedule, building momentum for Israel’s performance on the international stage.
Sources familiar with the process reported that the selected song was recorded last week. The tune traces its roots to an original melody titled October Rain, which had previously been rejected by the EBU due to concerns that its lyrics might contain political content. The revision and refinement process culminated in Hurricane, a version that the broadcaster and the EBU deemed suitable for competition while avoiding content that could be interpreted as political messaging.
According to KAN, the lyrics of Hurricane center on a young woman confronting and overcoming a personal crisis. The voters of the piece were credited to a writing team consisting of Keren Pels, Avi Ohion, and Stav Begar. Their collaboration has been described as a concerted effort to deliver a narrative that resonates with a broad international audience while maintaining artistic integrity and a clear, non-political message.
Israel’s decision to participate carries potential implications for other entrants in Eurovision 2024. Iceland, for instance, has not yet affirmed its own participation. After announcing a candidacy that was linked to the Söngvakeppnin preselection process, Iceland’s status remained uncertain as its national finale concluded recently. The unfolding developments underscore how national selections and lyrical content frequently intersect with the broader dynamics of the contest, influencing schedules, media coverage, and audience expectations across Europe and beyond.
The ongoing preparations reflect the Eurovision community’s emphasis on music, performance, and shared cultural exchange. As KAN and the EBU navigate questions of eligibility, content, and artistic interpretation, the focus remains on presenting artists who can engage audiences while adhering to contest rules. The forthcoming premiere of Hurricane is anticipated to offer viewers a first glimpse of Israel’s entry, setting the stage for discussions about musical style, staging concepts, and the broader thematic arc of the country’s Eurovision journey. In Canada and the United States, fans will be watching closely as qualifiers, broadcast partners, and online platforms begin to stream and discuss the competition, highlighting how a single national entry can influence perceptions of the event on both sides of the Atlantic. Citations: KAN, European Broadcasting Union, and multiple Israeli media outlets.