Will Israel make it to the Eurovision final?-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Eden Golan has more than a 90% chance of qualifying, the bookies say (Picture: AP)

Israel has a strong chance of proceeding to the Eurovision Song Contest’s grand final despite widespread backlash and protests in Malmo, according to the bookies.

The country will compete with its entry Eden Golan and song Hurricane in tonight’s second semi-final alongside acts from nations including Norway, Switzerland, and Denmark.

However, there have been calls for the Eurovision’s organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to refuse Israel’s participation due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Eurovision fans, and stars including RuPaul’s Drag Race star Crystal, have also stated their intention to boycott the entire event.

In response, the EBU said that the members agreed that Israel could compete as it met all the required rules for the year, while also stating that the annual event was ‘non-political’.

A heavy police presence has today descended on Malmo’s main square ahead of pro-Palestinian marches planned to take place this afternoon before Israel’s performance.

There has been widespread backlash over Eden’s inclusion (Picture: Reuters)

But despite the outcry, Israel has very strong odds – 1/25 – of qualifying for the grand final, according to Ladbrokes.

Oddschecker, which compares the odds from more than 25 of the UK’s leading bookmakers, including William Hill, also put Israel’s chances of progressing at 94.7%, with odds at 1/18.

As for winning the semi-final, Ladbrokes puts Israel’s odds at 6/1, while Oddschecker’s odds are 8/1.

Despite Israel’s chances of qualifying looking promising, on Wednesday there were shouts outside Eden’s rehearsals, which reportedly included boos and people saying ‘free Palestine.’

Eden revised her original song which was thought to contain references to the Hamas attack (Picture: Backgrid)

Eden said she could not think of a ‘better year’ to represent Israel in the Eurovision (Picture: Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP)

There have also been continued demonstrations in Sweden and the week of Eurovision has already seen small gatherings in Malmo and at the Eurovision village when Austrian 2014 winner Conchita Wurst was on stage.

Eden’s song Hurricane was reworked from a previous track called October Rain, after sparking controversy over lyrics thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel.

The 20-year-old who has been singing and dancing on stage since she was a child, told ITV News this week that she could not have asked ‘for a better year to be representing my country.’

She said: ‘People can say whatever they want, they have a right to speak their minds, speak their heart.

Israel has previously won the Eurovision four times (Picture: Reuters)

‘I’m focusing on my mission and on the good and on the fact we’re united here by music.’

Eden added: I’m showing our voice. It’s a huge amount of power and honour I have to be the voice of millions of people and show that we’re here and be the voice of people who are not home right now and we need to bring home.’

Israel has been a strong contender at Eurovision in recent years, last winning with Netta’s Toy in 2018 and qualifying for the final 12 times since 2003.

It has won a total of four times, and will face tough competition this year from Switzerland’s Nemo, whose operatic-pop music The Code has been seen as one of the favourites to win on Saturday.

The next Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals will air on Thursday, May 9, at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. The Grand Final airs on Saturday, May 11, at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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