Tragic Loss: IDF Reservist Shaul Greenglick, a Eurovision Hopeful, Killed in Gaza

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Shaul Greenglick, a 26-year-old Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reservist, lost his life in the northern part of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, as was reported by The Jewish Chronicle on Wednesday, This tragic incident occurred just weeks after Greenglick successfully auditioned on the TV show ‘Israel’s Rising Star,’ aiming to become Israel’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, the report added.

Shaul Greenglick showcased his musical talent on ‘Israel’s Rising Star’ on December 3, while on leave from his mobilization in Israel’s ongoing conflict against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. The Jewish Chronicle reported that dressed in army fatigues and lieutenant’s stripes, he delivered a rendition of Hanan Ben Ari’s hit song ‘Blind Bat.’ The JC report also said that despite successfully advancing to the next round, Greenglick made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition to focus on his service in the IDF.

In a poignant Facebook post on December 14, he shared his dreams of a year filled with aspirations and pursuing his passions. However, the reality of fighting for his country took precedence, and he expressed that a new, different dream would have to wait.

During his performance on the show, one of the judges, Keren Peles, expressed her admiration for seeing Greenglick in uniform, stating that it was reassuring to have someone like him in the military, according to The Jewish Chronicle report. She even expressed her wish to see him represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The host of the program, Assi Azar, paid tribute to Greenglick, describing him as a smiling man with kind eyes and a singer with grace. Azar conveyed his condolences to Greenglick’s family on behalf of himself and the entire production team, expressing deep sorrow over the loss, as was indicated in The Jewish Chronicle report.

Greenglick’s death adds to the toll of IDF soldiers who have lost their lives during Israel’s military operation in Gaza, initiated in response to a terror attack by Hamas on October 7 in which 1200 Israelis and others were brutally massacred. Over 240 people were taken hostage by the terror group.

Thus far, this war for Israel’s survival  has claimed the lives of at least 167 IDF soldiers, highlighting the significant sacrifices made in the pursuit of national security.

The Eurovision Song Contest serves as both a cultural and musical platform, and the 2024 edition is scheduled to take place in May in Malmo, Sweden. While Greenglick’s dreams of participating in Eurovision have been tragically cut short, his memory will undoubtedly be cherished by those who knew him.

The loss of Shaul Greenglick, a talented singer and dedicated IDF reservist, is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict. His dual pursuits of music and military service encapsulate the complexity of life in regions affected by geopolitical tensions. As Israel mourns the passing of one of its promising talents, the Eurovision stage will undoubtedly miss the presence of a young artist whose dreams were interrupted by the call of duty.