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IDF Soldier Killed in Gaza Was Contender to Represent Israel in 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Shaul Greenglick competing on “HaKokhav Haba.” Photo: Screenshot
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday the death of three soldiers who died fighting against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, one of whom could have been chosen to represent Israel in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden.
Captain (res.) Shaul Greenglick, 26, from the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, competed recently in HaKokhav Haba (The Next Star), the Israeli talent show and television program from Keshet 12 in which the winner goes on to represent Israel in the 2024 Eurovision competition, which will take place in May. The Raanana native auditioned in his IDF uniform and dedicated his performance to fellow soldiers currently fighting in the Israel-Hamas war. One of the show’s judges, Shiri Maimon, complimented Greenglick after his performance, saying, “You have a natural talent. You were born with an amazing voice.”
“You are the most beautiful Israeli, especially at this time, to see you standing here,” added fellow judge Keren Pels. “You are a gift and all your friends are a gift and I trust you. I am happy that you are wearing a uniform because it is reassuring to have someone like you in a uniform. I would love to see you represent Israel at Eurovision.”
The IDF soldier, who returned to fighting in Gaza after his audition, garnered 83 percent of the votes from the judges, which qualified him for the next round of the talent show. Keshet 12 said the next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be dedicated to Greenglick’s memory.
Greenglick was killed while fighting in the northern Gaza Strip along with Master Sgt. (res.) Maor Lavi, 33, and Cpt. Shay Shamriz, 26, who was a relative of Alon Shamriz — one of three Israeli hostages accidentally shot dead by IDF soldiers in Gaza.
Greenglick uploaded on Dec. 14 an Instagram post that included a clip of his performance on HaKokhav Haba. In the caption, he talked about putting his passion of singing on hold to help defend Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorists.
“I imagined this year differently, a year of ambitions and fulfilling dreams. Now I am living an old dream to fight for the country … a new dream and another will have to wait a little,” he wrote in Hebrew. “Thank you for the warm and encouraging words and also for the criticisms. I hope this period passes and that it will pass quickly. I promise to continue fighting for this country that I love and for my dreams in the future. Right now there is only one thing on my mind — and that is to continue fighting the darkness until we see the light.”
Following Greenglick’s death, the judges of HaKokhav Haba paid tribute to the IDF soldier.
Asaf Amdorsky praised him as “a sweet and beautiful young man with refreshing eyes, [who] put us, all of us, before his own good,” according to Israeli press reports. “He left the television program and went down to Gaza to fight with his fellow heroes. The sadness is unbearable,” Amdorsky added.
“I see the news and I can’t take it anymore,” said singer and HaKokhav Haba judge Ran Danker in an Instagram Story following the announcement of Greenglick’s death. “It’s hard to believe that a moment ago you were singing in front of us. Your music, your singing, and your eyes are etched in my memory. I have no words.”
Maimon said in a post on her Instagram Story on Tuesday: “Shaul, our dear hero, we didn’t get to know you the way we wanted but we got to hear your beautiful and comforting voice. I remember your family being happy and excited for you and now they’ve lost you, it’s impossible to understand.”
“The heart refuses to believe,” Israeli actress Rotem Sela, who hosts the program alongside Assi Azar, wrote in an Instagram post, remembering Greenglick. “You came to our first meeting and you brought so much joy and light with you. You sat surrounded by your beautiful family who looked at you proudly with sparkling eyes. You charmed us, made us laugh, we even got up to dance together. How beautiful , how much talent, how much sadness. Simply unimaginable. What a terrible reality. Sing and dance up there, beautiful boy like you, show everyone there how much of a star you are.”
Azar shared in an Instagram Story that although he met Greenglick only twice — in an interview before the audition and at the audition itself — “you didn’t need more than that to see the magic in him.” He also called the slain soldier “a smiling man, the kind you immediately want to be your friend. A singer with grace, good eyes.”
“Our hearts are full of sorrow. I wish this nightmare would end already,” he concluded by saying.
The post IDF Soldier Killed in Gaza Was Contender to Represent Israel in 2024 Eurovision Song Contest first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Pro-Palestinian Rapper Leads ‘Death to the IDF’ Chant at English Music festival
Revellers dance as Avril Lavigne performs on the Other Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
i24 News – Chants of “death to the IDF” were heard during the English Glastonbury music festival on Saturday ahead of the appearance of the pro-Palestinian Irish rappers Kneecap.
One half of punk duo based Bob Vylan (who both use aliases to protect their privacy) shouted out during a section of their show “Death to the IDF” – the Israeli military. Videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) show the crowd responding to and repeating the cheer.
This comes after officials had petitioned the music festival to drop the band. The rap duo also expressed support for the following act, Kneecap, who the BCC refused to show live after one of its members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – better known by stage name Mo Chara – was charged with a terror offense.
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Rubio Holds First Meeting with Hostage Families, Urges End to Gaza War
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 10, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard
i24 News – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held on Friday his first meeting with the families of the hostages still held in Gaza since taking office in January, telling the loved ones that a “real victory” can only occur in Gaza when the remaining hostages are returned.
Those in attendance included Omri Miran’s brother-in-law; Evyatar David’s brother; Hadar Goldin’s brother; and Iair Horn, who himself is a freed hostage, with his brother Eitan still held by Hamas in Gaza.
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, they urged the current US administration for a “bold decision.” “We’ve waited long enough,” the family members said. “It’s time to make brave decisions and bring all our loved ones back—all at once.”
Rubio, in turn, expressed the Trump administration’s “unwavering commitment” in rescuing the 49 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
This meeting comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he believes a ceasefire will be reached between Israel and Hamas “within the next week.”
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Trump Says He Would Consider Bombing Iran Again, Drops Sanctions Relief Plan
US President Donald Trump speaks at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured), at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder
US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, on Friday, dropped plans to lift sanctions on Iran and said he would consider bombing Iran again if Tehran is enriching uranium to worrisome levels.
Trump reacted sternly to Khamanei’s first remarks after a 12-day conflict with Israel that ended when the United States launched bombing raids last weekend against Iranian nuclear sites.
Khamanei said Iran “slapped America in the face” by launching an attack against a major US base in Qatar following the US bombing raids. Khamanei also said Iran would never surrender.
Trump said he had spared Khamanei’s life. US officials told Reuters on June 15 that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader.
“His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” Trump said in a social media post.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” he said.
Iran said a potential nuclear deal was conditional on the US ending its “disrespectful tone” toward the Supreme Leader.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday.
Trump also said that in recent days he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran to give it a chance for a speedy recovery. He said he had now abandoned that effort.
“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” he said.
Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again, when asked about the possibility of new bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if deemed necessary at some point.
“Sure, without question, absolutely,” he said.
Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency – the U.N. nuclear watchdog – or another respected source to be able to inspect Iran’s nuclear sites after they were bombed last weekend.
Trump has rejected any suggestion that damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said.
The IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that ensuring the resumption of IAEA inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began bombing on June 13.
However, Iran’s parliament approved moves on Wednesday to suspend such inspections. Araqchi indicated on Friday that Tehran may reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump said Iran still wants to meet about the way forward. The White House had said on Thursday that no meeting between the U.S. and an Iranian delegation has been scheduled thus far.
The post Trump Says He Would Consider Bombing Iran Again, Drops Sanctions Relief Plan first appeared on Algemeiner.com.