Israel's Eurovision representative, Eden Golan, has successfully secured a place in the Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Despite facing protests and being booed during her performance, Golan's resilience and exceptional talent won over audiences worldwide, catapulting her from eighth place to the number two spot in the betting tables.

During the second semi-final on Thursday night, Golan delivered a stunning rendition of her powerful song "Hurricane," receiving both thunderous applause and boos from the audience. However, voters around the world appreciated her performance enough to propel her into the highly anticipated Grand Final on Saturday.

While the detailed breakdown of the votes from each country remains secret, the Italian broadcaster, RAI, briefly revealed that Golan had won an impressive 39.3% of the votes in Italy. Televoting odds currently predict that Israel has a 43% chance of winning the televote. However, Golan is expected to come in fifth in the jury vote, potentially securing a second-place finish overall.

Israel's journey through this year's Eurovision contest has not been without challenges. Initially, there were doubts about Israel's participation due to the ongoing war following the Hamas massacre in October. Eventually, it was decided that Israel would participate, using the song and platform to acknowledge the tragedy.

Golan's selection as the contestant cheered Israeli Eurovision fans, but there were controversies surrounding the choice of the original song, "October Rain," which had references to the massacre. Consequently, it was replaced with "Hurricane," which carried softer lyrics but still alluded to recent events.

The music video for Golan's song depicted her and dancers in a field reminiscent of the Supernova Music Festival, where a tragic incident occurred in October. The dancers wore sand-colored costumes resembling torn clothes or bandages, conveying a somber visual tone distinct from the usual flashy Eurovision style.

Amidst Israel's participation, calls for a boycott and ban were made by artists primarily from Ireland and Scandinavia. Nonetheless, no artists ultimately refused to perform. This year's host city, Malmo, with its significant Muslim population, reportedly harbors greater hostility towards Israel. Consequently, strict security measures were put in place, including the presence of the head of the Shin Bet security agency to oversee Golan's safety.

Outside the arena, protests against Israel's participation took place, led by prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg. However, Golan remained focused and undeterred, expressing her appreciation for the positive vibes she experienced from her fellow contestants.

Despite the controversies and challenges surrounding Israel's representation, Golan's exceptional performance and grace under pressure have earned accolades from fans and high-profile figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even sent her a supportive video message, commending her for courageously representing Israel in the face of antisemitism.

In a heartening development, another Israeli, Tali Golergant, representing Luxembourg, also advanced to the Grand Final after impressing with her song "Fighter" in the first semi-final. Golergant, who has lived across the globe, brings her own talent and diverse perspectives to the Eurovision stage.

As the Grand Final approaches, all eyes will be on Eden Golan as she competes against other talented contestants. Regardless of the final outcome, her journey through Eurovision has been a triumph, embodying the resilience and perseverance that resonates with survivors of the tragic Supernova Music Festival.