Tensions surrounding the participation of Israeli candidate Eden Golan, in the midst of the war in Gaza, in the final of the Eurovision song contest on Saturday May 11 in Malmö (Sweden) continue. After various and varied reactions since the qualification Thursday evening of the young Israeli singer, it is the turn of the philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Lévy to express himself on his X account.
Although he claims to have never voted for Eurovision, the writer will do so for the first time this year in favor of “Eden Golan” because he considers her “talented” and “courageous”. The young Israeli singer, 20, qualified for the final with the song “Hurricane”, the initial version of which had to be modified. Some consider it to allude to the Hamas attack which bloodied Israel on October 7.
“In this world gone mad, in the face of the wind of hatred against the Jews without precedent for 80 years, in the face of stupidity, his victory will be a landmark,” judges Bernard-Henri Lévy, 75, in his message.
Twenty-six countries in total will compete on Saturday to succeed Sweden as winner of this competition which was followed in 2023 by 162 million viewers. Israel has participated in Eurovision since 1973, which it won for the fourth time in 2018. “It is truly an honor to be here (…) to present ourselves with pride,” rejoiced Thursday the Israeli candidate who appeared on Saturday morning in second place among the favorites behind Croatia.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which oversees this glittering music event, confirmed Eden Golan’s participation in March despite criticism.