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Thursday, 15 March 2007, 10:18 GMT

Eurovision approves Israel entry

Teapacks Israel's controversial entry for this year's Eurovision has been approved by organisers despite apparent references to Iran's nuclear programme.

Push The Button by the group Teapacks was deemed "generally appropriate", said Eurovision spokesman Kjell Ekholm.

Two weeks ago, Mr Ekholm said the song, which refers to "demonic" rulers and "he's gonna blow us up to... kingdom come" could be banned.

Teapacks deny the song is about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Contest supervisor Svante Stockselius said they do not comment on individual cases, "but a couple of songs caused some discussions".

Public vote

"Eurovision song contest has very detailed rules for the songs: they can have no explicit wording, no coarse language, nor any political propaganda," he added.

Teapacks said in a statement that they "were not a political group".

"It does not refer to countries, continents, names of people and may, just like any other text, be subjectively interpreted in many different ways and angles," the statement read.

The UK entry will be chosen by the public on Saturday from six possible acts.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Finland on 12 May.



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Related to this story:
Eurovision 'Armageddon' in Israel (28 Feb 07 |  Middle East )
Euro hopefuls rate their chances (28 Feb 07 |  Entertainment )
Meet the UK's Eurovision hopefuls (28 Feb 07 |  Entertainment )
How do you write a Eurovision hit? (10 Jan 07 |  Magazine )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Eurovision - Making Your Mind Up
Eurovision 2007
Teapacks
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