Israeli Singer Eden Golan to Reportedly Volunteer in IDF Despite Medical Exemption

01.10.2024 22:10

The Algemeiner

Eden Golan, Israel’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, reacts during a press conference following the official unveiling of Israel’s song submission, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 10, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Israeli singer and former Eurovision contestant Eden Golan received a medical exemption from serving in the Israel Defense Forces but is insistent to still volunteer with the IDF despite her medical limitations, sources close to the “Hurricane” singer told Ynet on Tuesday.

Golan, 20, talked to the Israeli publication last month about starting her IDF military service after participating this summer in the Eurovision Song Contest, where she finished in fifth place. “I believe serving your country is vital, especially in today’s reality,” she said at the time.

Insiders close to Golan told Ynet that during the IDF recruitment process, the singer revealed some medical conditions that resulted in her getting a medical exemption from serving in the army. As a result, she has taken steps to serve in the military as a volunteer.

“Eden began the compulsory recruitment process within the IDF until she received the notice that she would not be able to enlist normally due to medical reasons,” sources told the publication. “Despite this, she saw no option other than to volunteer and immediately informed the military that she would do so as soon as possible.”

“Since Eurovision, Eden has represented Israel at every opportunity she could and now it’s important for her to volunteer for the soldiers, especially during these difficult times,” the sources added. “In the near future, Eden will take part in a public diplomacy campaign around the world and is expected to start her volunteer service once i’’s completed.”

Golan competed in the Eurovision Song Contest while facing death threats, boos from audience members, and pressure for her to be boycotted from the international competition because of Israel’s military actions during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. She had to wear a disguise outside her hotel room in Malmo, Sweden, during the competition and one of the contest’s jury members admitted that he deliberately withheld giving points to Golan because of his personal feelings against Israel.

Golan competed with a song called “Hurricane,” which was a remake of a song called “October Rain” that was disqualified from the competition for being too political since it referenced the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. Golan will perform “October Rain” at the United Nations at an event commemorating the one-year anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 attacks.

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