Israel back in Eurovision 2024 after lyric change

Israel will be allowed to compete at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 after changing the lyrics to its song, organisers have confirmed.

Eden Golan will represent the country at the contest in Sweden this May.

Her original song, October Rain, was thought to reference the Hamas attacks of 7 October and had been barred for breaking rules on political neutrality.

Israel's public broadcaster agreed to amend the song, now titled Hurricane, and will unveil it this weekend.

In a statement, The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - which organises the contest - said earlier: "The EBU can confirm that the official submission from its Israeli Member Kan has been deemed eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

"The Contest's Reference Group, its governing board, made the decision to accept the song 'Hurricane' for the upcoming competition after careful scrutiny of the lyrics.

"It was agreed that 'Hurricane' met the necessary criteria for participation in accordance with the rules of the competition."

Israeli broadcaster Kan had previously pledged not to alter the lyrics, but the country's President Isaac Herzog later called for "necessary adjustments" to ensure Israel can take part in the contest.

They included the lines "They were all good children, every one of them" and "Who told you boys don't cry/ Hours and hours/ And flowers/ Life is not a game for the cowards."