Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 9, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Netanyahu congratulates Eden Golan for competing in Eurovision amid ‘ugly wave of antisemitism’
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Eden Golan of Israel performs the song 'Hurricane' during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sends a message wishing Eden Golan good luck ahead of her performance tonight in the second Eurovision semifinal.
“You’re competing not just in the Eurovision in a proud and very impressive manner, but you are competing successfully in the face of an ugly wave of antisemitism — and you are standing up to it and representing the State of Israel with huge honor,” says Netanyahu in a video message.
The prime minister tells Golan that “when they ‘boo’ you, we are shouting ‘hooray’ for you,” referencing the booing the Israeli singer has faced from audiences during the dress rehearsals this week.
