Assi Azar: “Israel will win Eurovision 2024, as Ukraine won”!

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Assi Azar, one of the most popular presenters on Israeli television, spoke to one of the largest Spanish newspapers, La Vanguardia. Assi expressed his confidence that Israel will win the Eurovision contest to be held in May in Malmö, just as Ukraine, which was also plagued by war, won two years ago.

Assi Azar is the host of HaKokhav Haba, the selection show through which the artist representing Israel at the Eurovision contest is chosen. He was one of the presenters of Eurovision 2019, held in Tel Aviv, while he is also an activist for the rights of the LGBT community.

At the beginning of his interview, Assi expresses his certainty that Israel will participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest despite the backlash and expresses his certainty that it will win, wanting the world to show its solidarity after the terrible terrorist attack. blow suffered by Hamas last October.

Israel will get as many votes as Ukraine got because of the war. International solidarity. As good as Israel’s song is, it will win the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the interview he was also asked about HaKokhav Haba and if he has a favorite candidate.

The singers participating in the show are unknown. Some I really like, but I can’t say about my favorites. I have to be neutral.

When asked if Assi has any Palestinian friends, the Israeli presenter mentions Lucy Ayoub, with whom they presented Eurovision 2019 together.

Many Israelis are Palestinians and hold senior positions.

Asked whether Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, Assi described how it can happen.

It is impossible to talk about this while Israeli citizens are being kidnapped and held by Hamas. First of all, they have to come back. After that, Netanyahu must give an account: how was an attack by Hamas that killed so many families possible.

The Spanish journalist points out to Assi the thousands of deaths in Gaza and asks for his comment on it.

If a group of terrorists invaded Barcelona and killed entire families while they were at home, wouldn’t you go out and defend your home? Out of eight billion people on earth, only fifteen million are Jews and only nine million live in Israel: this is our home! Many say that Jews control Hollywood, that they are rich, that they decide the presidents of the United States, that they enjoy killing Palestinians. This is pure anti-Semitism! It’s scary!

He will not hesitate to fight if Israel is attacked by Lebanon and Syria, comments Assi, since everyone in the country is a soldier.

If Israel is attacked by Lebanon or Syria, we will all fight. Me too.

When he is finally asked about his dream, he answers:

What everyone you ask, whether they are Palestinian or Jewish, in Gaza or in Israel, wants: to live in peace and be happy!

Do you think Israel can really win Eurovision 2024, like Ukraine won in 2022? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun!

Source: Euromix

Australia: Montaigne asks for Israel’s removal from Eurovision!

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Through an instagram post, Montaigne, the Australian representative in Eurovision 2020 and 2021 calls for a removal of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

As an artist who has had the privilege of competing in Eurovision, it is my shared opinion that Israel should be removed from the 2024 contest.

I have signed an open letter to the European Broadcasting Union asking them to remove Israel as it is unfair to any artist they select to have their participation tied to political motivation. This is not the spirit of the European celebration of music.

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη montaigne (@actualmontaigne)

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.

Montaigne didn’t manage to qualify for the final of Eurovision 2021, being the only Australian act failing to qualify to a Eurovision Final.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun!

Israel: The results of the 14th episode of HaKokhav Haba | Eleven artists left for Malmö!

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Broadcast yesterday 10/1, the 14th episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which the artist who will raise the flag of Israel at Eurovision 2024 will be chosen!

As we have already informed you, 35 artists passed the scope of the auditions, with 14 of them going to the second phase – the battles phase, and they will claim the representation of the country in Eurovision 2024!

Episode 14 saw three more battles with five artists advancing to the next stage and one exiting the show. We remind you that the presenters of HaKokhav Haba are Assi Azar and Rotem Sela who have been in this position since 2014, while the members of the jury are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels with a new addition being Eden Hasson.

Six contestants therefore appeared in front of an audience and a jury, with the committee choosing at the end the one who will leave, among the three artists who collected the lowest score.

Or Cohen Vs Mika Moshe

Two very good performances for both artists. A judge’s downvote on Mika Moshe’s performance decided the outcome. With 93% against 86% Or Cohen advanced directly to the next phase.

Mika Curtis Vs Oral David

Here things were clearer. Oral David was the undisputed winner, since with 96% against Mika Curtis’ 59% he easily advanced to the next phase.

Leanne Byrne Vs Eden Golan

A duel that could be final. Two artists with great voices. They both collected very high percentages and of course the positive opinion of all the judges. In the end, for just one unit, Eden Golan was the winner, having scored 96% against Leanne Byrne’s 95%.

Finally the judges among the three artists who lost in their duels, chose Mika Curtis to leave the show. Now only eleven candidates remain in the running to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024.

The 11 artists who are still in the running to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 are:

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

Through HaKokhav HaBa, Israel managed to qualify every year to the final of our favorite competition from 2015 to 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of Eurovision with the song “Toy”.

This 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 by collecting 362 points.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: euromix

Stefania: “Israel I love you and I hope to see you soon”!

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Our beloved Stefania spoke on November 16 as part of the big concert in Amsterdam, Het Grote Songfestivalfeest, on euromix, answering whether we will see her soon at Eurovision, about her experience at the contest in 2021, but she also sent a message to Israel.

Stefania, who brought Greece back to the top 10 after 8 years in 2021, is looking forward to being at the competition again, while she is very grateful to her whole team for this achievement.

“At Eurovision 2021 I felt very honored that I was chosen to represent Greece at Eurovision. I am also very grateful and proud of my team. We did it, 10th place!

Having grown up in the Netherlands, but also writing a successful course in the country’s musical affairs, Stefania does not rule out representing her country of residence in the future.

I really want to go back! But who knows…this year it won’t happen anymore, it’s too close, but I’d love to do it for the Netherlands. I represented the Netherlands at Eurovision Junior, so it would be nice to represent them at Eurovision as well.

Sending her own message to Israel and her fans there, Stefania said:

I love you in Israel, I hope to see you soon, kisses!

You can watch the entire interview in the video below:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Israel: The results of the twelfth episode of HaKokhav Haba – 12 artists in the race for Malmo!

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On Sunday night, the twelfth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was aired! Through this talent show the artist who will raise the flag of Israel at Eurovision 2024 will emerge!

As we have already informed you, 35 artists passed the scope of the auditions, with 14 of them going to the second phase – the battles phase, and they will claim the representation of the country in Eurovision 2024!

In the twelfth episode we watched seven battles with six of them advancing to the next phase. We remind you that the presenters of HaKokhav Haba are Assi Azar and Rotem Sela who have been in this position since 2014, while the members of the jury are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels with a new addition being Eden Hasson.

Seven contestants then appeared in front of an audience and jury, with the one with the lowest score leaving HaKokhav Haba.

Leanne Byrne

Leanne chose to sing “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. With precise vocals, she surprises everyone with high and beautiful notes. An excellent performance and all the judges agreed. Shiri Maimon mentioned that she should risk more: “You have to get out of your comfort zones” . She received one of the highest percentages of the night, 93%.

Ido Bartel

Ido chose to sing a mash-up tonight. The judges were troubled with his performance and many of them mentioned that they cannot imagine him representing Israel at Eurovision. Despite mixed reviews, Ido with 67%, advances to the next phase.

Shay Tamino

Shay Tamino received very good comments and most of the judges were impressed with this performance. Shiri Maimon explained that she has a beautiful voice but found it old-fashioned. Despite Shiri Maimon’s negative comments, she scored 84%.

Yehuda Saado

Yehuda Saado divided the judges and they think he made the wrong song choice. As they mentioned it was a good performance and he is a good singer but maybe he doesn’t make for Eurovision. Despite average to poor reviews, Yehuda Saado with a 50% rate, is the one to doesn’t advance to the next round.

Oral Ravid

Oral has a lot of charisma on stage, he manages to present the song in an excellent way and his special voice definitely leaves a good impression after every performance. He received the highest percentage of the night, 95%.

Mika Curtis

Mika Curtis, surprises with her special voice, as soon as she opens her mouth. The judges seem to agree that she has a very good voice, it’s just that the stage presence scares them and that’s why she got 72%.

Arik Sinai

Arik Sinai is the oldest artist of this season and surprises every time with his performance. All the judges agree that he is suitable for Eurovision and he got a percentage of 91%.

The detailed reuslts of Episode 12:

  • Leanne Byrne – 93%
  • Ido Bartel – 67%
  • Shay Tamino – 84%
  • Yehuda Saado – 50%
  • Oral Ravid – 95%
  • Mika Kertis – 72%
  • Arik Sinai – 91%

The 12 artists who are still in the race to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 are:

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

Through HaKokhav HaBa, Israel managed to qualify every year to the final of our favorite competition from 2015 to 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of Eurovision with the song “Toy”.

This year Israel was represented at Eurovision 2023 by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn” who gave the Middle Eastern country the third place in the Grand Final by collecting 362 points.

 Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: euromix.co.il

Norway: NRK will not boycott Israel’s entry in Eurovision 2024!

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During the presentation of artists for MGP 2024, a group of 20 individuals demonstrated outside the central offices of the Norwegian Public Broadcaster NRK. They demanded the boycott of Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in May in Malmö. Both the host of MGP 2024 and an NRK representative stated that the Norwegian Public Broadcaster would not seek Israel’s removal from Eurovision 2024. 

Fredrik Solvang, the host of MGP 2024 commented on the demonstration, stating that he does not support boycotting Israel in Eurovision 2024. He explained that such a decision would place him in a challenging position as a host, highlighting the inherent difficulty for a television station to adopt a stance amid an ongoing conflict, particularly when providing journalistic coverage. According to him, only the Norwegian government could make such a decision and call for a boycott of Israel in all international events, similar to what happened with Russia. Nevertheless, such a scenario has not unfolded and appears unlikely in the foreseeable future.

In the same manner, Charlo Halvorsen, the entertainment editor at NRK, conveyed a similar viewpoint:

“NRK cannot seek a cultural boycott. It is not within our mandate as a broadcasting entity. It would be entirely impossible for us. We cover conflicts in the Middle East, and if, as a broadcasting company, we were to take a position in a conflict, it would compromise our integrity.”

On the contrary, Margaret Berger, one of the participants in MGP 2024 and Norway’s representative in Eurovision 2013, where she came in fourth place with “I Feed You My Love” showed her support for the demonstrators and their requests. She expressed particular concern about Israel’s participation in the competition.

MGP 2024 details

This year’s Melodi Gran Prix will remain in the same format as last year, as there will be no duels or second chance rounds. Three artists will qualify from each semi-final in which only the Norwegian TV audience will vote, while the final will for once again feature an international jury that will determine 40% of the result.

The songs will be published each Monday before the semi-final in which they are to compete. Melodi Grand Prix 2024 will take place at the Spectrum in Trondheim with Marion Ravn and Fredrik Solvang as hosts. The schedule is as follows:

  • First Semi-Final: January 13th
  • Second Semi-Final: January 20st
  • Third Semi-Final: January 27th
  • Grand Final: February 3rd

The previous MGP winner and Norway’s representative at Eurovision 2023 was Alessandra with her song “Queen of Kings” and finished 5th in the Grand Final. 

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

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun.com for all the news regarding the Norwegian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: vg1, vg2

Eurovision: Which Eurostar wants Israel banned from the contest?

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Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has already sparked considerable debate. While the EBU has stated that it has no intention of excluding the Middle Eastern country as well as the participating broadcasters from the competition, there have been numerous calls to exclude Israel from the competition due to its opposition to the competition’s ethics.

La Zarra, France’s representative in Eurovision 2023, has now been added to the list of artists who have publicly questioned Israel’s boycott. La Zarra, a French-Canadian artist of Moroccan descent, specifically asked her Instagram followers to weigh in on whether Israel should be barred from participating in Eurovision because of “the crimes against humanity it commits.”

While her followers supported her and expressed their desire to ban Israel, she later expressed her own opinion on the topic, mentioning that:

During my participation in Eurovision, I had the privilege of meeting an extraordinary audience, made up of passionate people full of love. We were all united by the music, transmitting a message of peace and love, both from the participants and the audience. As expected, the whole country supported Ukraine, and Russia was excluded from the competition.

Unfortunately, we are once again witnessing a massacre, a genocide of the Palestinian people, and with attacks in Cisjordanie and Lebanon. We are witnessing a calculated and deliberate attempt to take control of the region.

Eurovision is a political competition, and I am aware that artists are extremely afraid to express themselves.

However, the public, the public has the power to move mountains if they want to. The audience I met is filled with love and strength, which is why I am appealing to you.

Let’s ban Israel from this competition, just as Russia was excluded, because of the atrocities it commits.

La Zarra, however, does not stop there. She then inspires her followers to take action and raise their voices in a barrage of social media posts condemning Israel’s genocide, citing:

Let’s not celebrate Evil.

Let’s be in the good side of history.

What do you think of La Zarra’s opinion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024? Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Israel: The results of the eleventh episode of HaKokhav Haba – 13 artists in the race for Malmo!

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Broadcast on Wednesday night 3/1, the eleventh episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which the artist who will raise the flag of Israel at Eurovision 2024 will emerge!

As we have already informed you, 35 artists passed the scope of the auditions, with 14 of them going to the second phase – the battles phase, and they will claim the representation of the country in Eurovision 2024!

In the eleventh we watched seven battles with six of them advancing to the next phase. We remind you that the presenters of HaKokhav Haba are Assi Azar and Rotem Sela who have been in this position since 2014, while the members of the jury are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels with a new addition being Eden Hasson.

It is worth noting that in tonight’s episode of HaKokhav Haba there was a live audience for the first time for this year, people whose homes were evacuated in both the north and the south of the country, after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the territory of Israel.

Seven contestants then appeared in front of an audience and jury, with the one with the lowest score leaving HaKokhav Haba.

Mika Moshe

Mika impressed the judges vocally as well as kinetically and received rave reviews from Shiri Maimon, the country’s representative at Eurovision 2005. Although she received the highest percentage of the night, 96%, many of the judges are unsure whether she ready for Eurovision.

 

Or Cohen

A good performance for Or Cohen, who impressed with her voice. He collected 94% and passed to the next phase.

 

Yonatan Biton

Yonatan divided the jury. However, he was good vocally and the direction elevated his performance. He scored 65% and finally qualified for the next phase.

 

Moriah Angel

Moriah may be one of the favorite nominated artists of the jury, today she did not impress them. Although it was vocally correct, it wasn’t a good look. However, with 50% she managed to pass to the next phase at the very fifth.

Dor Shimon

Dor’s appearance was perfect. However, the committee is not sure if he is ready for Eurovision. Despite mixed reviews, Dor with a 60%, advances to the next phase.

 

Eden Golan

Eden is the favorite of HaKokhav Haba, since with absolute 100% she passed to the second phase of the battles.

This time she showed that apart from singing amazingly, can also dance. The judges expressed, among other things, their joy that there is such a person in Israel. However, the song choice was divisive and only got 85% of the total score, but advances to the next stage.

Gal

Gal chose the wrong song, drawing attention more to the guitar playing than the performance part. Only Shiri Maimon voted for Gal, who with 41% leaves HaKokhav Haba and abandons the dream of representing Israel in Malmö.

The detailed results of yesterday’s episode:

Mika Moshe 96%
Or Cohen 94%
Eden Golan 85%
Yonatan Biton 65%
Dor Shimon 51%
Angel Moriah 50%
Gal Kafri 41%

The 13 artists who are still in the running to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 are:

Leanne Byrne
Eden Golan
Arik Sinai
Yehuda Sadoo
Shay Tamino
Ido Bartel
Or Cohen
Jonathan Biton
Mika Moshe
Dor Shimoni
Mika Curtis
Moria Angel
Oral Ravid

Through HaKokhav HaBa, Israel managed to qualify every year to the final of our favorite competition from 2015 to 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of Eurovision with the song “Toy”.

This 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 by collecting 362 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3mIcCllJXY

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix

Eurovision 2024: The first odds after the year change!

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2023 has been history since a few hours ago and Eurovisionfun welcomes 2024 with one of its most loved and talked about columns, with the betting analyses for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicking off for 2024.

While you’re still in the mood for your Christmas holidays and getting ready for a ‘hot’ Eurovision winter, bookers are already getting down to business, with the Eurovision 2024 winner section already being offered to some bookmakers. So, we’re taking the opportunity to bring you the so far for the next contest.

Derby at the top

Clearly influenced by the current geopolitical reality, as well as the performance of the last few years, one could describe the setting in the top five. On the basis of the figures so far, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are joint top, with the 2022 winner offered at odds between 7 and 8, while last year’s host is at odds of between 6.5 and 8.

Clearly, there is a telling difference between the odds offered for Ukraine and the UK. On the one hand, Ukraine’s odds are clearly influenced by the ongoing Russian invasion in the Eastern European country for two years now and the sympathy for the Ukrainian people as manifested in the televoting of the last two contests. On the other hand, the UK’s odds are explained by the announcement of Olly Alexander as the country’s representative in Malmö alongside the long-standing tendency of British fans to bet on the much-coveted sixth win in the Contest.

In third place, but with exactly the same odds as Ukraine, we find another country with a tradition in the contest that is, at the same time, in a state of war, Israel. Up to eight times the money to be placed on it would be returned by Israel’s fifth victory, with bookers clearly influenced by what is happening in Gaza and “suspecting” a similar surge of support for Israel’s participation, similar to what happened in the last two years in the case of Ukraine.

Nine times the stakes return a potential victory of one of the major powers of the last decade in the contest, Italy. The amazing tradition of the last few years, together with the strong line-up of the upcoming Sanremo Festival largely explain the betting companies’ confidence in the southern European powerhouse.

Of course, the top five could not but be completed by the multiple winner (together with Ireland) of the Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden. The Eurovision 2024 host is rightly seen as one of the heavy favourites to win in Malmö, with SVT’s decision-makers and Swedish Eurofans wanting more than anything for the historic eighth win to take place on Swedish soil. A home win for Sweden is offered at odds between 8 and 11.

Top 10

In sixth place in the betting tables is Norway, which is being played at odds of around 15, being one of the most respected figures in our favourite contest, with Eurofans eagerly awaiting the Melodi Grand Prix 2024 which will start next Saturday.

Spain is seventh, just behind sixth place. Bookers are still relying on the positive momentum the Spanish delegation carries from Chanel‘s huge success in Turin a year and a half ago and despite the fact that the song release of the upcoming Benidorm Fest 2024 did not excite, they are still offering Spain within the top ten.

In eighth place one finds Switzerland, whose odds have plummeted in the last week to bring them into the top 10, whereas until recently they were close to 20th place. The Swiss delegation leader’s post that the Central European country will not be sending a male ballad to Malmo seems to have prompted many to bet on Switzerland, apparently bearing in mind the last time that didn’t happen, in 2019, when Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” placed fourth in Tel Aviv.

In ninth place, and for the first time during the current Eurovision season, one meets Greece. After the disastrous performance in Liverpool, Marina Satti‘s name and the momentum that the selection sends out to a big name in the Greek music scene seems to return the shaken confidence of the bookers towards the once powerhouse. It is quite possible that the appearance of the Greek representative in Syntagma Square for the change of the year has brought about this “tailwind” in the odds circulating in the bookmakers for Greece‘s victory in Malmo. The Greek victory is being played at odds between 13 and 21, being lower than at the same time last year.

The top ten is completed by France. The Western European country is one of three countries that have so far revealed their songs for Eurovision 2024, along with Czechia and Albania. However, Slimane‘s “Mon amour” is in a significantly better position than the other two entries, with bookers cautiously optimistic and keeping France within the Top 10. Up to 21 times the stake is returned on a potential French win, which is being played at similar odds to Greece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE2Fj0W4jP4

Do you think the betting companies’ intuition will be confirmed for another year or will there be a surprise winner that no one expects? Tell us in the comments! From us wishes for a creative year, with health, happiness and lots of Eurovision.

Israel: Eurovision 2024 Trailer! (Video)

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With HaKokhav Haba now entering its final phase, Israel is now closer and closer to selecting the artist that will represent the country in Eurovision Song Contest 2024. For this reason, a special trailer is airing for some days now, that talks about Israel participation in general, as well as in this special year.

The trailer starts with some articles from international press, and some images of pro-Palestinian rallies, asking to boycott the Israeli participation in Eurovision 2024.

It then goes on, with the fact that Israel is first in the betting odds and EBU’s announcement of the participating countries, with Israel being present.

Then we can listen to the voice of a judge from HaKokhav Haba, quoting some verses from the old testament, which were also being used in a known song.

“In every generation our lives will be threatened, but God will save us from them.”

The trailer ends with the commentator stating that it will be a great honor for whoever represents the country this year and we see the famous wall of HaKokhav Haba covered with the flag of Israel.

You can see the trailer, in the video below:

14 artists are still in the race to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024. From Wednesday, January 3, and in each episode of HaKokhav Haba, an artist will be eliminated, until the we reach the Grand Final, when an artists will take on the task of waving the flag of Israel in Malmö.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!