The Israeli singer staring down the fury of the pro-Palestine crowd: How ... trends now
The hopes of a nation are a big enough weight to bear for anyone appearing in Saturday's Eurovision final, let alone for a 20-year-old.
But the eyes of the world will be on Eden Golan for more than one reason when she takes to the stage in Malmo, Sweden.
As Israel's entrant, Golan has attracted the ire of pro-Palestine protesters who believe the Jewish state should have been thrown out of this year's competition - becoming a lightning rod for hate since the IDF invasion of Gaza after Hamas' sickening October 7 attacks.
Golan has even been told by Israel's fearsome security service to stay in her hotel room, leaving only to perform, after receiving an avalanche of death threats and amid terror-attack fears.
She is not alone, though, and has received support from some of her nation's previous famous entrants.
The eyes of the world will be on Eden Golan for more than one reason when she takes to the stage in Malmo, Sweden, in the Eurovision final on Saturday
Golan has been the target for pro-Palestine protesters who believe Israel should have been thrown out of this year's competition
A Palestine flag is waved during Golan's performance of her song 'Hurricane' during the semi-final of the competition last night
Israeli Dana International, who was Eurovision's first transgender winner in 1998, told the LGBT community to condemn Hamas rather than Israel as she called to 'Free Palestine - from Hamas!'.
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How Israel's Eurovision contestant has faced death threats and fears of a terror attack, but declares: 'I'm not worried - but I am prepared'
'Things are far more complex than reciting some trend that sounds right to you,' she told her 114,000 followers on Instagram.
'I ask you to open your eyes and hearts, and to see the truth, to see beyond any propaganda or a one-sided narrative as they shown on social media. Choose to see the side who sees you. Who shares the same values as you.'
Gali Atari, who was part of group Milk and Honey when Israel won in 1979, believes Golan would have a chance of winning if it was any other year.
'And all the noise in the background makes it much more difficult,' she told The Jerusalem Post.
'All this year, with the boos, the violent protests – it's all very frightening, but Eden handles it very well.'
Yet the tensions at this year's event are palpable.
Heavily-armed police officers carrying machine guns are patrolling outside hotels, and drone-mounted cameras will monitor the crowds as they bid to keep the peace during the world's biggest pop competition.
Most alarming of all, there are reports that terrorists are planning to bomb the arena.
Golan shared a New York Times article on her Instagram page in which she defiantly says she 'won't let anything break me'
Footage showed members of the crowd booing and shouting during Golan's performance on Wednesday night
Golan pictured performing her song Hurricane during rehearsal at the Malmo Arena on Wednesday
Without question, Golan is Eurovision's most controversial entry this year and is said to be under constant bodyguard watch having faced death threats.
If there were any questions remaining about what kind of reception she will receive, those were resoundingly answered last night.
As she took to the stage dressed in a stone-coloured maxi dress that resembled bandages, boos filled the arena.
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Moment Israeli singer Eden Golan's Eurovision performance is nearly drowned out by boos and chants of 'Free Palestine' in chaotic scenes
Golan was nearly drowned out by the demonstrators chanting 'Free Palestine' while she performed 'Hurricane' during the Eurovision Song Contest's Jury Show.
Yet despite the threats on her life and fears of a terror attack, she has refused to be cowed and has
