WATCH: Israeli Eurovision representative's Lebanese fan
After complimenting Nadav Guedj for 'building a bridge to peace' between Israel and Lebanon, 24-year-old Ahmed receives a warm embrace from the Israeli singer on stage in Vienna.
Ahmed, a Lebanese fan of the Israeli entry, "Golden Boy," asked the song's performer, Nadav Guedj: "Did you imagine that you at 16 years would help to build a bridge to peace between two countries?"
The song's composer, Doron Medalie, invited Ahmed to get on the stage, where he was warmly embraced by Guedj.
Medalie added, "I am pissed off that I cannot cross the border and come to Beirut. My dream is to go to Beirut and to dance all night long." He invited Ahmed to come to Tel Aviv, noting that "the situation between Lebanon and Israel is just a stupid situation and we don’t have any problems."
Ahmed gave Guedj a flag of Lebanon and got off the stage as the audience applauded.
Watch the emotional encounter during the Vienna press conference
In a conversation with Ynet, the 24-year-old Ahmed, who was born in Lebanon, said he was disappointed by the fact that many Eurovision viewers vote according to the song's origin rather than according to its quality.
"Israel deserves to make it to the final," he said. "The song is among the best 10 songs this year, in my opinion. Israel also deserved to get to the final with Moran Mazor (in 2013), but people didn't vote for her because of the country that sent her. I was very angry that she didn't make it."
"Yes, it's like three songs in one. One part is calmer and the second part is more rhythmical and danceable. I also understand that Nadav's vocal abilities are very impressive."
How did you react when he invited you to get on the stage?
"It was funny and totally cool. It was fun and very exciting. I didn’t expect it to happen. I had a slightly weird feeling that I wasn't really in control of what happened there, but all in all it was very nice."
And who will win the Eurovision this year?
"I really like the Israeli song, but Italy deserves to win and I hope it does. Israel, please vote for Italy!"
The first Eurovision semi-final will take place on Tuesday, the second semi-final on Thursday and the final on Saturday. All stages will be broadcast live on Israel's Channel 1 television.
