So for today’s post I could write about the constant intrusions and rockets from Hizbulla…. or the way the IDF set up over 450,000 tents and shelters with cots, cookstoves ( no, the innocent Gazans are not reporting to wood and trash fires to cook), water and medical attention. 8 hospitals have been fully staffed with doctors and medical personnel not associated with Hamas. They are for the Gazan civilians in need. There is also a special women’s center set up for maternity and OB/GYN needs. The staff is all women-

I could write about how Israel was not even included in the last round of hostages talks: the one where Hamas accepted a deal. Only they had changed it so radically and by then it was too late as every effort had been made to negotiate. Or how the IDF withdrew troops down to two battalions and put any attempts to enter Rafah on the Egyptian border and clear it of Hamas.

I was going to write about how the IDF did start to invade Rafah on Sunday night with surgical precision; how Hamas responded with rocket barrages into Israel; how in the morning, Hamas rockets landed on the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing. How 5 Israeli soldiers inspecting humanitarian aid shipments were killed, 4 injured, 3 trucks, and over a ton of food marked for entry into Gaza destroyed.

But no. Today I’m writing about a phenomenon that has swept all of Europe…and Israel. When I went to England, everyone was talking about (and my son-in-law’s sister’s husband was a respected commentator) who would win. Here, in Israel it’s reached a fever pitch. And no. It’s not Football/soccer.

It’s Eurovision!!!! Usually, we are not sucked in, but this year. Both my husband and I have been listening to all the entries and the pundits’ and social media influencers’ reviews of the 39 contestants. We listened to all of the first half of the entries Tuesday night. Tonight are the performances of the last 20.

I know Americans have The Voice and American Idol. But this is waaaay bigger. And this year there is major controversy. You see Israel (always a major contender and who has won four times, I believe), was not allowed to join at first because of the Israel-Gaza War. There were protests, petitions and threats to keep Israel out of the competition, but the Eurovision Committee decided at last to let Israel in.

The song to be entered was reviewed by the committee and rejected as being too political and too controversial in the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It was titled October Rain. The song was reworked and resubmitted under the name Hurricane, with female vocalist Eden Golan singing. 20 year old Eden has recently immigrated to Israel from Russia, where she had won several vocal competitions. This is her big international debut.

I really was marginally interested until I heard the commentators from other countries’ reactions. Everyone was blown away and moved to absolute tears. Two anti-Israel people completely changed their bias and said they now understand where Israelis are coming from because of 7 October.

“We can bring everything we’re feeling and everything the country is going through in these three minutes,” stated Golan. It is a powerful song of loss and redemption, of strength in tough times. Compared with all the other entries, Eden Golan’s range, her emotion, her dramatic pauses put her in a league way above everyone else. Listen:

https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=pp6vaaUUWpS-NIYU

I’m so deeply moved by this song. We will definitely be watching tonight, hoping the politics are placed aside and that Israel comes across strongly enough to make it to the finals Saturday night. There are a couple countries that give stiff competition, but we shall see how the live performances go. Of course, we will be rooting for Eden Golan!