Israel: Everything that happened in the first episode of HaKokhav HaBa!

HaKokhav HaBa, the show through which Israel will choose its representative for Eurovision 2024, premiered on Monday night, November 20.

With a special edition, due to the critical situation the country is experiencing, HaKokhav HaBa is being held this year. On Monday night we had the broadcast of the first episode, which even scored quite high viewing figures, reaching 19.1% for Keshet 1, which translates to 519,000 viewers.

The broadcast began when the hosts, Assi Ezer and Rotem Sela, presented the program as a special edition adapted to current affairs. In the first episode we saw four auditions, of which three managed to qualify for the next phase.

We remind you that the results of each episode are determined by the audience in the studio and by the jury consisting of: Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon (2005 Eurovision Israel), Ran Danker, Itay Levi and Eden Hason.

Who made it to the next phase?

Shay Tamino

Shay Tamino serves in the military “Education and Youth Corps”. Shai feels a great mission to appear in front of soldiers during the war. The song she chose, she wanted to dedicate to her close friend who was murdered on Saturday, October 7, by the Hamas terrorist attack.

She received the positive vote of all the judges and with 85% passed to the next phase.

Leanne Byrne

Leanne is only 16 years old and has been making music since she was 8. The judges described her as a child phenomenon and generously gave her their vote for her dynamic appearance. The audience was just as enthusiastic.

With 97% she passed to the next phase.

Eden Golan

Eden is 20 years old. She was born in Tel Aviv, but for 13 years she lived in Moscow. The young singer is not unknown to eurofans, since in 2015 she tried to represent Russia in the Junior Eurovision, while lately she has been working with the composer and producer Yinon Yahel, one of the country’s greatest musicians who has written for global stars such as Madonna , Jennifer Lopez, but has also signed Israeli entries to the competition, such as Golden Boy in 2015 and Feker Libi in 2020.

Eden received the most complimentary comments of the episode and with an absolute 100% passed to the next phase as one of the big favorites.

The next episode of HaKokhav HaBa will air on Wednesday at 10 PM.

Stay tuned for all the Israeli updates at Eurovisionfun!