IDF reservist who died fighting in Gaza auditioned to be Israel’s Eurovision entry

The 26-year-old successfully passed through to the next round of the selection process but dropped out to focus on fighting in the IDF.

Greenglick said in a post on Facebook on December 14: "I imagined this year differently, as a year of aspiration and of living my dreams.

"Now I'm living an old dream, of fighting for the country .... A new, different dream will have to wait a bit."

One of the judges, Keren Peles, told Greenglick on the stage: "I'm happy to see you wearing a uniform, because it's reassuring that someone like you is in uniform. I would be happy to see you representing Israel at Eurovision."

Paying tribute, Assi Azar, the host of the program, wrote: "Dear Shaul fell in Gaza. We met only twice, in the interview before the audition for The Rising Star and at the audition itself. These were short meetings, but you didn't need more than that to feel the magic in him.

“He was a smiling man. The kind of person you immediately want to be your friend. He was a singer with grace, with kind eyes. And now he is gone. I would like to send my condolences, on behalf of myself and the entire production team, to his family.

“Our hearts are all filled with sorrow. I wish this nightmare would end already. May his memory be blessed."

At least 166 IDF soldiers have been killed in Israel's military operation in Gaza which was launched after Hamas’ terror attack on the Jewish state on October 7.

The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted in May in Malmo, Sweden.