Iceland: More than 500 musicians demand withdrawal of Iceland from Eurovision!

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A number of musicians showed up outside the radio house to present the petition to broadcaster Stefan Eiríksson. Confetti was shot over the broadcaster during the handing over of the list, as can be seen in a video footage taken by protesters that gave mbl.is permission to publish.

Pálmi Gunn­ars­son, Páll Óskar, Gréta Salóme, Bríet, Friðrik Dór, Svala Björg­vins­dótt­ir and Daní­el Ágúst Haraldsson are among more than 500 on a petition of musicians demanding that Iceland withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest, because Israel is participating in the contest.

Israel participates

Playwright Sal­vör Gull­brá Þór­ar­ins­dótt­ir told mbl.is:

“Musicians are encouraging RÚV to take a stand by withdrawing from Eurovision if Israel participates.”

Salvör also points out that Reykja­vík­ur­dæt­ur signed the list, as well as members of the band Celebs. The European Broadcasting Union has now announced that Israel will take part in this year’s contest. Salvör adds citing the results of a survey conducted by Prósent before Christmas:

“There’s really no other option for RÚV than to take a stand with Palestine. Because there is a strong will among the people to do so.”

According to the findings of this poll, about 60% of the population strongly or rather agree that Iceland should withdraw from the contest.

There have been calls to ban Israel from Eurovision 2024. In Finland, 1300 artists signed a petition asking for Israel to be removed. The British representative Olly Alexander has also shared in public his opinion against Israel. Also just recently Montaigne signed an open letter to the EBU asking the ban of Israel from the contest and Ben Dolic joined her by doing the same.

Source: mbl.is
Photo: Þórdís Reynis

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Germany: Ben Dolic signs an open letter to the EBU against Israel!

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It seems like the statement of EBU that confirms that KAN and Israel can normally participate to the contest has sparked reactions among the fans but not only.

A few hours later, the (almost) Eurovision Song Contest 2020 representative of Germany, Ben Dolic, signed an open letter to the EBU and made a post on X (Twitter) about it, which you can see below:

“The continued acts of violence by the state of Israel cannot be supported under any circumstances. As an artist, a past Eurovision participant and as a human being, I will not support the EBU’s decision to allow a state that has committed so many atrocities to tens of thousands of civilians participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.

There is no logical explanation for a music competition with the main message of spreading love to have a connection with a place that has acted against their main message in such horrific ways.”

There have been calls to ban Israel from Eurovision 2024. In Finland, 1300 artists signed a petition asking for Israel to be removed. The British representative Olly Alexander has also shared in public his opinion against Israel. Also just recently Montaigne signed an open letter to the EBU asking the ban of Israel from the contest, just as Ben did.

Germany originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Violent Thing” written by Borislav Milanov, Peter St. James, Dag Lundberg, Jimmy Thorén and Connor Martin and performed by Ben Dolic, but then the contest was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. You can listen to “Violent Thing” on the video down below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAobDQ9GbT4

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EBU: Israel can normally participate in Eurovision 2024!

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With its statement to Aftonbladet, the EBU confirms and clarifies without any doubt that Israel will normally participate in Eurovision 2024, since the country’s public television meets all the conditions.

The EBU’s statement comes after a series of similar statements from various public broadcasters. It is emphasized that the members of the EBU consider that the Israeli public television KAN meets all the conditions for participation in the upcoming contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition between public broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East that are members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It’s a competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli broadcaster has been participating for 50 years. Eurovision is an apolitical event that unites audiences around the world through music.

What the EBU follows in essence is what happens in all major events, sporting and non-sporting, where Israeli representatives normally participate.

The above not only confirms everything we know about Israel’s certain participation in Eurovision 2024, but also leaves no doubt about it. Any calls for a boycott are meaningless.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Aftonbladet

Israel: The results of HaKokhav Haba’s 16th episode | Nine artists still in race for Malmö!

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Yesterday, January 17th, the 16th episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was aired. HaKokhav Haba is the talent show under which the artist that will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 will be selected.

Out of the 35 artists who made it beyond the audition stage, 14 advanced to the battles’ phase, where they will compete to represent their country in Eurovision 2024!

In episode sixteen, the ten remaining artists performed in duets, while nine of them moved to the next stage and one was eliminated. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, serve as the show’s hosts, as they have been doing since 2014. The jury is consisted of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

The duets of the 16th episode

Ten contestants performed in front of an audience and a jury, with the committee ultimately deciding who would be eliminated from the two artists with the lowest scores.

Oral Ravid and Mika Moshe

One of the weakest performances of the two singers. The two artists performed “Children of Life” but did not impress all the jurors jury achieving a score of 73%.

Yonathan Biton and Dor Shimoni

They chose to perform a mashup of the songs “Dizziness” and “Badad“. The two artists are among the most notable singers in HaKokhav Haba. They received a positive feedback from the majority of the judges, but they ultimately achieved a 73% score.

Or Cohen and Eden Golan

The two singers decided to perform Alicia Keys’ song “If I Ain’t Got You“. A powerful and electrifying performance by the two divas, who have indeed an incredible vocal range! With a 96% score, they were declared the winners of the evening and received triumphant feedback from all the judges.

Moria Angel and Leanne Byrne

They selected to perform John Lennon’s legendary “Imagine“. The judges disagreed as something felt off with their performance. Only one judge voted favorably and stated that he disagreed with the other judges. Unfortunately, with a score of 29%, they were eligible for elimination.

Arik Sinai and Shay Tamino

The last duet saw Arik Sinai and Shay Tamino perform “Before it ends” by Idan Raichel.The two artists’ styles are completely different, and it shows. They received positive feedback from the majority of the judges, but they ultimately achieved a 77% rating.

Having achieved the lowest score of the evening, Moria Angel and Leanne Byrne were put in front of the jury, in order the latter to decide who would leave HaKokhav Haba. The jurors ultimately decided that Moria Angel should be eliminated.

HaKokhav HaBa 2024

Only nine candidates remain in the running to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 and they are the following:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Jonathan Biton
  7. Mika Moshe
  8. Dor Shimoni
  9. Oral Ravid

Israel qualified for the finals every year from 2015 to 2020 through HaKokhav HaBa, and Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018 with the song “Toy”.

Israel was represented last year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third place with 362 points overall.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

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Source: euromix

Ireland: The head of delegation does not support the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024!

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After the statements of the public broadcasters of Norway and Denmark, now also the Irish head of delegation, expresses his opposition to the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024.

Speaking on the Eurotrippodcast, Michael Kealy who is the head of Ireland’s Eurovision delegation, agreed with the EBU’s decision and against any boycott of Israel in the contest.

This is not competition between governments – it is competition between public broadcasters. The public broadcaster in Israel is an independent broadcaster like RTÉ. It is independent of the government – it is not Netanyahu’s mouthpiece.

Michael Kealy is also opposed to Ireland withdrawing from the contest because of Israel’s participation in it.

There are many calls to withdraw from Eurovision because Israel is participating in it. This would set a very dangerous precedent if we do this at RTÉ because we are not a political organisation, we are a public broadcaster. I’m not in favor of that.

Ireland make their national selection during a special edition of The Late Late Show on 26 January.

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Source: Eurotrippodcast

Israel: The entry of 2024 in Hebrew | A jury will choose it!

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The song that will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 and will be performed by the winner of HaKokhav Haba in Malmö, will be chosen by a committee, will include Hebrew lyrics and will be announced on March.

In a statement, Israel’s public television reports today that it has already invited a wide range of Israeli song writers to submit songs with one of which the winner of HaKokhav Haba will represent the country at Eurovision 2024. A necessary condition this year for those who will submit a song, is that it must also contain Hebrew lyrics. The talent show is coming to an end in three weeks and thus we will have the artist, who will raise the flag of Israel in Malmö, in this special year for the country. The song will be selected internally by a panel and be announced in a special broadcast on March!

At the moment, there are ten artists left to claim the representation of Israel in Eurovision 2024:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Yonathan Biton
  7. Mika Moshe
  8. Dor Shimoni
  9. Moria Angel
  10. Oral Ravid

One of the above will be the HaKokhav Haba winner and the one who will get the ticket to the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Last year Israel at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool was represented by the explosive Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn” who gave the Middle Eastern country the third place in the Grand Final, receiving 362 points.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

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Source: Euromix

Sweden: The left party demands the ban of Israel from Eurovision Song Contest! | The response of SVT!

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In May, Malmö will host the Eurovision Song Contest. On May 7, the festivities kick off and on May 11, it’s time for the final. But lately the contest is leaning towards politics. The leader of the Left Party, Nooshi Dadgostar, demands that the organizers ban Israel from participating in the competition. Nooshi Dadgostar explicitly says:

“Eurovision should not invite Israel.”

The reason for the Left Party‘s announcement is the ongoing war that in Gaza, where Israel has been dragged before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The legal process has been initiated after South Africa filed a complaint against Israel to the court.

“Aggressive war against children”

Nooshi Dadgostar adds on the matter:

“Tens of thousands of people have been killed. It is not the right signal to send that Sweden gives space on stage to such a state. Israel is waging an aggressive war against children and their parents and is now being prosecuted for genocide and there are many indications that they are committing war crimes right now.”

When asked if it is reasonable for her, as a politician, to interfere in a production in this way, she responded:

“I love Eurovision. It is a place of celebration and fellowship, but I think many people share the view that a state that has killed so many children cannot be given this place. Otherwise, it’s as if the outside world doesn’t care about the killing. This has to stop.”

Social Democratic party doesn’t want to interfere

Social Democratic MP Lawen Redar, who sits on the Riksdag‘s Culture Committee, strongly disagrees.

“I don’t interfere in how this type of programme should be implemented. It must be up to the public service broadcasters in Europe, and it is certainly unusual to boycott individual nations from participating.”

The response of SVT

SVT refers the question of Israel‘s participation in Eurovision to the European Broadcasting Union and Madeleine Sinding-Larsen write:

“SVT will not comment on this because it is the EBU that decides which members participate in the competition and SVT will follow the EBU’s decision.”

Aftonbladet has reached out to the EBU but there is no response yet.

Source: Aftonbladet / Fredrik Björkman
Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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European Parliament: Against the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024!

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In a statement, Sabine Verheyen, German MEP and President of the Committee on Cultural Affairs of the European Parliament, stood against the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024, which some are trying to impose on the public broadcasters, members of the EBU.

The largest democratic institution of the EU – the European Parliament, since its members are directly elected by the citizens of the member states, through the president of its Committee on Cultural Affairs Sabine Verheyen, stated earlier to euobserver that it is against any boycott attempted against Israel and its participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

In fact, the MEP made it clear that Israeli citizens have the right to live without the fear of the terrorist organization Hamas, somehow justifying the military operation currently being carried out in Gaza to dismantle the organization.

Israeli citizens have the right to live free from terror, fear and violence.

This is the first time that one of the EU’s top institutions has spoken openly about the thorny issue of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024, taking a clear stand in favor of its unfettered participation and against calls for a boycott.

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Source: euobserver

Israel: Everything that happened in the fifteenth HaKokhav Haba episode! | Ten artists are still in the race!

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The fifteenth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Sunday, January 14!

Out of the 35 artists who made it beyond the audition stage, 14 advanced to the battle phase, where they will compete to represent their country in Eurovision 2024!

In episode fifteen, three auditions aired and five more artists went through to the next round. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, who have been hosting HaKokhav Haba since 2014, are the show’s presenters. The jury is made up of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

Six competitors then gave performances in front of the judges and audience. Nevertheless, the jury ultimately selected one of the three performers with the lowest score to be eliminated.

Yonathan Biton Vs Dor Shimoni

Two excellent performances from both artists. The result was determined by a judge who voted against Dor Shimoni’s performance. Jonathan Biton advanced directly to the next round with a score of 92% to 80%.

Shay Tamino Vs Moria Angel

Despite the judges’ disagreement on both artists’ performances and the fact that none of them obtained a unanimous vote in favor of winning, Moria Angel emerged victorious with 82% against 66% and therefore moved on to the next round of the show.

Ido Bartel Vs Arik Sinai

After receiving 87% of the judges’ favorable votes, Arik Sinai emerged victorious . In contrast, Ido Bartel only got a 75% after failing to persuade the jury.

Ido Bartel was ultimately chosen by the judges to be eliminated from the show out of the three artists that were defeated in their dueling matches. There are currently just ten contestants left to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024.

The 10 artists still in the running to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024 are:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Yonathan Biton
  7. Mika Moshe
  8. Dor Shimoni
  9. Moria Angel
  10. Oral Ravid

Israel qualified for the finals every year from 2015 to 2020 through HaKokhav HaBa, and Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018 with the song “Toy”.

Israel was represented last year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third place with 362 points overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3mIcCllJXY&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!

Source: Euromix 

Eurovision 2024 in danger? Hamas’ plan to attack Israeli embassy in Stockhom exposed!

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Security cooperation between Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF and international organizations, exposes Hamas plot to attack targets worldwide, specifically in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Mossad released a statement that said “Thanks to inter-agency cooperation in Israel and abroad, we have exposed Hamas’ elaborate plans including involved personnel such as Hamas commanders in Lebanon, locations and targets such as the Israeli embassy in Sweden by using drones and crime organizations in Europe. Hamas takes its inspiration from Iran’s terror regime and aspires to attack Israeli and and Western targets.

Does the above mean that the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held next May in Malmö, is at risk from a terrorist attack by Hamas? How will the organizers deal with this year’s security challenges? It will certainly be a competition that will not remind anything of the past.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Al Arabiya