Israel lyrics risk ban at Eurovision

Israel is at risk of being banned from performing at the Eurovision Song Contest amid concerns its entry lyrics are too political.

The song, titled October Rain, is set to be performed by female soloist Eden Golan, who won the singing competition show HaKochav HaBa and was subsequently chosen to represent Israel.

According to Israeli newspaper Hayom, the song contains lines such as: “Everything is black and white”, “Who told you boys don’t cry?” and “Life is not a game for the cowards”. The song also includes the word “flowers” which is a term used in the Israeli army for soldiers killed in battle.

It is also reported that the last three lines of the song, which Golan plans to sing in Hebrew, are “There’s no air left to breathe”, “No place, no me from day to day”, and “They were all good children, each one of them”.

The contest’s rules forbid political messages, in a gesture to neutrality.

Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, has confirmed that the leaked lyrics were accurate and said it was “in dialogue” with the European Broadcasting Union regarding the issue.

A Eurovision spokesperson told Israeli news outlet Ynet: “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.

“All broadcasters have until 11 March to formally submit their entries. If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics, as per the rules of the contest.”

Israel’s culture and sports minister, Miki Zohar, posted online, “Israel’s song, which will be performed by Eden Golan, is a moving song, which expresses the feelings of the people and the country these days, and is not political.”

In 2009, Georgia’s entry We Don’t Wanna Put In was disqualified over connotations it referenced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Stand with me
Look into my eyes and see
People go away but never say goodbye

Someone stole the moon tonight
Took my light
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you
Boys don’t cry

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain

Living in a fantasy
Ecstasy
Everything’s meant to be
We shall pass but love will never die

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain
October Rain

לא נשאר אוויר לנשום
אין מקום
אין אותי מיום ליום
כולם ילדים טובים אחד אחד

(There’s no air left to breath
There’s no space
I’m gone day by day
Everyone is good kids one by one)

Source: SBS, Wiwibloggs