Israeli Eurovision star Eden Golan plays secret gig in London's West End - nearly two months after her controversial performance in Malmo sparked huge protests, boos and jeers

01/07/2024

Her controversial performance at Eurovision in Malmo earlier this year prompted enormous protests and mean-spirited boos and jeers.

But last night spectators in London had nothing but applause for Israeli Eurovision star Eden Golan, 20, as she was joined on stage in a private performance in London by scores of celebrities including Countdown's Rachel Riley MBE, Fauda's Rona-Lee Shimon and Emmerdale's Louisa Clein.

The secret event - which took place at a theatre in the West End and included performances from an ensemble of A-List stars - raised more than £1 million that will be used to rebuild nurseries that had been destroyed on October 7 in Kibbutz Be'eri.

It was one of the worst affected villages of Hamas's bloodthirsty attack on Israel - with 120 of its residents being murdered and a further 26 taken hostage during the terrorist group's murderous rampage.

Eden Golan from Israel enters the stage during the opening ceremony of The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on May 11

Eden Golan performs at an exclusive event in London's West End. The show was kept secret due to security fears

Golan pictured on stage. Just under 1,000 people were personally invited to the performance

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Titled Letters, Light and Love, the one-time show included performances from world-class British, American and Israeli entertainers including Olivier award-winning actress Dame Maureen Lipman, Will & Grace star Debra Messing, supermodel Bar Refaeli, Israeli artist Michael Aloni, and Booker-winning novelist Howard Jacobson.

The event's existence, as well as the time and location of the show were kept completely secret due to significant security fears - with just under 1,000 people being personally invited to the performance.

During the show actors read extracts from letters sourced from the archives of The National Library of Israel written by Zionists throughout the ages including Golda Meir, Winston Churchill, Caesar and Theodore Herzel, to highlight the historic connection between the Jewish people and Israel.

Interspersed amongst the readings were musical performances from Rona-Lee Shimon, Ester Rada, and Eurovision powerhouse Eden Golan

Interspersed amongst the readings were musical performances from Rona-Lee Shimon, Ester Rada, and Eurovision powerhouse Eden Golan.

Celebrities attending the one-of-a-kind event in central London included British comedian Jimmy Carr, Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev and Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.

Following the show performers and VIPs were then invited to an exclusive party underneath the theatre where wine, sushi and canapes were served.

Commenting on the enormous success of the fundraising event, creator and co-producer of the show Sarah Sultman said: 'We are a people with a rich history and connection to Israel that spans centuries.

Greta Thunberg pictured outside the Malmo Arena, Sweden, to protest Eden Golan's performance

Police restrain a man wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf outside the Malmo Arena on May 11

'We researched and collected hundreds of letters from the thousands if not millions that exist; this show is just a mere drop in the ocean of those narratives.

'We hope that other diaspora communities around the world will take this script and adapt it for themselves and stage it so that the letters continue to create stories of renewed hope, connectivity, and pride in our homeland.'

Michal Noe co co-producer of the event added: 'Cast, crew and individuals have all given generously of their time and their talent and come together to remind us at this critical moment in Israel's history of the joy and pride we all have for our homeland.'

Mandie Winston, Chief Executive of UJIA, the charity partner for the event said: 'This vital project is crucial to helping young families to return to Kibbutz Be'eri.

'Together we can make sure that Israel emerges from the ashes of October 7 stronger and more resilient than before.'

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