Israel was not entertained by Hungary's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest.
This year the Hungarian entry came under fire from Israel, over singer Boggie’s “Wars for Nothing” peace song. The original video of the song contained references to Israel's military campaign in Gaza last year.
Ilan Mor, Israel’s ambassador to Hungary registered a complaint over Hungary's participation. Hungary’s broadcasting authority confirmed that the Eurovision rules banning political content would be upheld, and that the sentence about Operation Protective Edge would be erased, according to the Times of Israel.
Boggie said “Actually my song is a hymnic ballad pleading for peace. Three composers, many inspirations, but one goal: to raise people's attention to this issue, and think music is more powerful than some people might think, and my song is a peace song and I really hope Europe will hear my message”, euronews reported.
Hungary made it to the semi-finals but were voted out. Israel has made it to the Eurovision song contest finals for the first time in five years, the Times of Israel has reported. Israel's entry is "Golden Boy", being sung in English by 16-year-old Nadav Guedj, winner of the country's "The Next Star" reality show.
The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956, supposedly as an apolitical event to promote post-war European unity.
Israel first entered the Eurovision in 1973 and has won the contest in 1978,1979 and in 1998.
Sweden's ABBA won Eurovision in 1974 and is regarded as the only group to have a successful music career after the competition.
Twenty countries, including Israel, Hungary, the UK, Azerbaijan, Poland, Armenia and Montenegro are competing for the semi-finals on 19 and 21 May, with the Grand final taking place on 23 May.
The overall winners will host next year's ceremony.
