Greece: ERT answers to fans who demand Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision!

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A few days ago, an introductory video was published in the Contest’s social media, in which the Greek representative, Marina Satti, introduces herself to the fans of Eurovision.

Marina Satti introduced herself to “the people of Eurovision” and she states that she can’t wait to go to Malmö in Sweden in May, in order to present the Greek music, culture, dances and energy, and she wishes to see everyone there!

 

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However in the comment section of the video, as well as in many recent posts in Eurovision’s social media, there are many comments that disapprove Israel’s participation in this year’s contest. In the same time, they ask Marina Satti and ERT, the Greek broadcaster, to demand Israel’s exclusion, and in case this doesn’t happen they want Greece itself, to withdraw from the contest.

Greece is not the only country to receive this kind of messages. The public broadcasters of Iceland, Ireland as well as that of Finland, have all received a great amount of messages, demanding each country’s withdrawal from the contest, in case Israel competes.

According to news247.gr, ERT answered to all these accusations, saying that the topic of a possible Greek withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, has not been present in any conversation in the channel!

In detail, Dora Chiraki the Director of Corporate Communication of ERT, stated:

“As of now, no official request have been made on Israel’s exclusion by EBU, by any of the competing countries, as was the case with Russia, for example. There is nothing official. If there is something in the future, then we will discuss it.”

Do you think that Greece will withdraw from Eurovision 2024? Write us in the comments below!

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

Source: news247.gr

Israel: Everything that happened in the eighth HaKokhav Haba episode!

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The eighth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Wednesday, December 20!

In episode eight, five auditions aired and four 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.

One of the 28 artists that have already qualified for the contest’s subsequent phase will ultimately represent Israel at Eurovision 2024. The presenters announced that the auditions will conclude the next week.

Gal Kafri

Gal is not only a singer and guitarist, but he is also an athlete. More than his voice, the judges remark on his appearance and smile. Gal dedicated the song to his mother. He received 86% of the vote and advanced to the next round despite one judge voting against him.

Or Cohen

Or is a 20-year-old Jerusalem native. She intends to concentrate on music after graduating from college and perhaps compete for Israel in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. The judges were left wondering if she might make it to the competition stage due to her emotive voice. Most of them voted in favor. She advanced to the next round with an 83%.

Tahal Perry

Tahal, a 21-year-old from a musical family, has been singing since she was a child. Despite the fact that every judge found her voice appealing and gave her a favorable vote, they believed she lacked experience, which can be a deciding factor in Eurovision. Tahal, though, moved on to the next phase with 79%.

Tamar Ben Zvi

27-year-old Tamar stands out  for her unique musical style. Even with her polished appearance, the judges are unsure if her musical style would be appropriate for Eurovision. Nevertheless, she pulled off a last-minute 77% and advanced to the next round of the show.

In the upcoming episode—the airdate of which is still unknown— additional auditions will be broadcasted. 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 this 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 

Israel: Everything that happened in the seventh HaKokhav Haba episode!

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The seventh episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Monday, December 18!

Four more artists qualified for the next phase of HaKokhav Haba.

In episode seven, five auditions aired and four 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.

In total, 24 artists have qualified for the second phase of the contest, with one of them ending up as the Israeli representative in Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

Mika Curtis

Mika is 17 years old, and even though her parents did not concent, she took part in HaKokhav Haba, aiming for the win and the stage of Eurovision.  She offered an excellent performance with great pronunciation and feeling. With the vote of almost all the judges, Mika manages to get the 87% of the votes and qualifies for the next phase.

Israel Levy

Israel is 22 years old with many years in music studies. Despite his great voice, the judges weren’t sure if he was the most capable for Eurovision. With a percentage of 78%, he qualifies for the next phase of the show.

Eitan Giorno

Eitan immigrated from France in 2015. He didn’t have an easy childhood as he faced many antisemetic behaviours. With judges being excited about his performance and telling him that he is one of the favourites to win this season, he qualifies with a percentage of 90%.

Romi Netz

Romi is 16 years old and is of a musical family. Despite her young age she is very confident on stage, however, the judges are doubting that she is ready to stand on the stage of Eurovision. With a percentage of 78%, she qualifies for to the next phase.

In the upcoming episode—the airdate of which is still unknown— additional auditions will be broadcasted. 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 this year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third place with 362 points overall.

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

Source: euromix.co.il

Iceland: Protest against Israel’s participation at Eurovision 2024 outside the Public Broadcaster offices!

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Earlier today, protesters gathered in front of the offices of the Icelandic Public Broadcaster RUV, calling for the disqualification of Israel from Eurovision 2024 due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Around 50 people assembled in Reykjavik,  in support of Gaza and with one of their main demands to Israel’s withdrawal from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Malmö, Sweden.

Stefan Eiríksson, the director of Icelandic Public Radio, met with a delegation of protesters who handed him a petition with 9,500 signatures calling for withdrawal from the 68th Eurovision Song Contest if Israel takes part. They urged RUV to put pressure on both the EBU and other public broadcasters to prevent Israel’s participation in the competition.

Sama Arla, the spokesperson of the protesters, stated that if Israel participates in Eurovision 2024, then RUV should withdraw Iceland’s participation.

“Iceland, like all the other countries competing in the Eurovision Song Contest, has the power to demand that Israel’s participation is re-examined in light of the fact that Israel is committing genocide. We know that there is usually a lot of controversy about RÚV’s lack of action on the matter. We want to see more action from RÚV. Also in the case of Russia, it was initially not expelled from the competition until the Finns threatened to withdraw. Anyone can take that first step and we want Iceland to do so.”

When asked whether they will be any further action if RUV  does not boycott the contest the reply was:

“This is a Public Television Network that should listen to the voices of the people in the country. It will be unusual if the decision to boycott the competition is not accepted.”

A few days ago, RUV, through Stefan Eiríksson, announced that Iceland would participate in Eurovision 2024. He stated that Iceland would not ask for the disqualification of Israel from the contest, emphasizing that the event should remain separate from political matters.

So far, no EBU member has officially asked the disqualification of Israel from Eurovision 2024.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: Euromix

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Israel: Everything that happened in the sixth HaKokhav Haba episode!

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The sixth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Sunday, December 17!

Three more artists qualified for the next phase of HaKokhav Haba.

In episode six, four auditions aired and three 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.

Noa Aharon

Noa registered to participate in the show unaware that the winner of HaKokhav Haba would represent Israel in the 2024 Eurovision contest. Though she said prior to the audition that she is really stressed out and worries that this will show in her appearance, she received votes from both the judges and audience, and with 94% of the vote, she advanced to the next round.


Zohar Zakharov

Zohar turns eighteen in a few months. He put in an emotional performance and received favorable feedback from most judges. Zohar advanced to the next round with 81% .

Livy Naftali

Livy is an eighteen-year-old actress and singer. Although she was born in the US, she later moved back to Israel with her parents. She made another attempt to represent the country in 2022, this time on X Factor, where she showed up right before the teams were formed. Livy earned an 82% rating, earning praise from all but one of the judges. She will return in the next phase of the competition.

In the upcoming episode—the airdate of which is still unknown— additional auditions will be broadcasted. 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 this year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third place with 362 points overall.

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

Source: euromix 

Ιreland: RTÉ is asked to boycott Eurovision 2024 because of Israel’s involvement!

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Following the reveal of the participants’ list in Eurovision 2024, several backlash was made regarding Israel’s participation regardless the ongoing war. Along with the petition on Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland asking RUV to boycott the contest, RTÉ, the Irish national broadcaster, has also received a petition to withdraw from the contest too.

In fact, RTÉ has received approximately 465 emails calling to “immediately withdraw support and participation in the contest next year, if Israel is permitted to compete”.

According to this petition, in case Ireland participates in the contest alongside with Israel, it means that the nation supports the atrocities currently being carried out by Israel in Palestine.

Moreover, the protestors also state that Israel’s participation is a tool used by the country’s government in order to portray itself as a modern, liberal, forward-thinking state, despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine.

It is also noted that the protestors are aware that Ireland’s boycott will not bring the end of the atrocities but it will serve as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling the nation to use its voice as to condemn the actions of the Israeli government. Thus, it is similar to the message of solidarity sent by Europe to Ukraine in 2022 during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The petition of the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland to RÚV

A few days ago the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland opposed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2024 unless Israel is disqualified. Via their petition they stated the following:

The board of FTT, an association of composers and lyricists, calls on RÚV not to participate in Eurovision in 2024 unless Israel is denied participation in the competition on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition. We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children. We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions. We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterized by joy and optimism.

The reaction of RTÉ and EBU

RTÉ takes into account the petition and the protests but it does not seem that neither RTÉ nor any other EBU member will take action, boycotting the contest. Specifically, an RTÉ’s spokesperson mentions:

RTÉ has always approached the event in the spirit in which it was founded – which is a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together through a shared love of music and entertainment.

and

RTÉ is not aware of any participating Public Service Broadcaster who is planning to boycott the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Furthermore, EBU responds to the protestors stating that the Union itself serves as an alliance of public service media organizations and hence the Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for broadcasters – not governments.

Regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 EBU, via a spokesperson, claims that:

We are a member-led organisation. The governing bodies of the European Broadcasting Union represent the membership.

These bodies have reviewed the participants list and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN meets all the competition rules and can participate in the Contest next year in Malmö, Sweden, alongside 36 other broadcasters.

Protests against Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 are growing in Europe, though this is not the first time. When Tel Aviv hosted the contest in 2019, there were numerous petitions circulated throughout Europe in order to boycott the event, but none were successful.

 

What do you think? Will any of EBU members decide to boycott the 68th Eurovision Song Contest? Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

Source: The Journal

Israel: All that happened on HaKokhav Haba’s fifth episode!

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On Sunday the 10th of December, the fifth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was aired, through which the winning artist of the show will gain the opportunity to represent Israel in Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

Three more artists mangaed to qualify to the next stage of HaKhohav Haba still owning the hope to represent Israel in Eurovision. On the fifth episode of the show, three out of the four artists competing managed to qualify. Keep in mind that Assi Azar and Rotem Sela are the show’s hosts since 2014, while the jury’s members are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levi, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels while Eden Hasson is the jury’s newest member.

The artists who qualified are the following:

Malki Lipskar

Malki is 26 years old and she was raised within a conservative family. However, her father was the one who encouraged her to become a singer no matter his conservative beliefs. The judges described her performance as “flawless” and everyone voted in favor of her. She qualified for the show’s next stage holding a 95%.

Dor Shimoni

Dor is 29 years old and he has two children. He considers himself as a “mediterranean” artist. The judges were astonished by his performance on very demanding and challenging song vocally. He managed to qualify for the next stage holding a 94%.

Yehuda Sadoo

Yehuda is 40 years old and a father of five children! He is an already known artist among the Israeli audience since his 22 years old when he became the winner of an other TV talent show, “A Star I s Born”. The jury was devided by his performance since some were in favor of him while others were against his qualification. Nevertheless, he qualified for the next stage holding a marginal 73%.

More auditions are going to be performed on HaKokhav Haba‘s next episode, which until now nobody actually knows when it is going to be broadcasted. Via this show, Israel qualified for the Grand Final from 2015 since 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of that year’s Eurovision singing “Toy“.

Until we find out who is going to reperesent Israel in Eurovision 2024, take a look at its final entry till now for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, with Noa Kirel singing “Unicorn” ending up in 3rd place with 362 points:

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

Source: https://www.euromix.co.il/

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for even more news!

EBU: Israel’s public broadcaster complies with the rules of Eurovision 2024!

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In a public statement to the Belgian newspaper HLN, the EBU comments on its announcement regarding the list of 37 competing countries in Eurovision 2024, with the inclusion of Israel in this list.

The announcement of the list with the 37 competing nations of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest by EBU a few days ago, was a matter of controversy on the social media, since a part of the eurofans considered that Israel should have been disqualified from the upcoming contest.

In fact, there were not a few who compared the case of Russia with that of Israel, accusing the EBU of having double standards in similar cases.

Responding to a relevant question from the Belgian newspaper HLN, the EBU comments that the list of countries that are going to compete in Eurovision 2024 has been approved by the relevant bodies of the association, while regarding Israel it replies that its participation is given, since its public television fully comlies with the competition regulations.

“The EBU’s governing bodies […] reviewed the list of participants and decided that the Israeli public broadcaster complies with all competition rules”

The EBU’s decision is reasonable at this time. It is worth reminding that the case of Russia and Belarus’ disualification are two completely different cases. Russia’s public television was expelled by the EBU due to its use by the Russian government as a propaganda tool in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, violating its territorial integrity. As far as Belarus is conserned, a temporary exclusion from the competition and from the EBU for three years was decided, as a penalty for the attempt of the country’s public television to politicize Eurovision 2021, by sending an entry with clear political lyrics.

The case of Israel has nothing to do with the above, since the war conflict did not start with its own fault on the one hand and on the other hand its war response came as a result of the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7th.

Since the question around Israel’s inclusion in the upcoming contest was solved, the only thing pending now is whether Romania will manage to be present in Malmö, in May, raising the number of the participating countries to 38.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

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HaKokhav Haba judges disagree on what kind of song should represent Israel in Eurovision 2024!

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On the occasion of the performance of a contestant in the fourth episode of HaKokhav Haba, the talent show through which the artist who will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 will be selected, there was an interesting debate-disagreement between the judges about the style and genre of the song that the country should send to Malmö.

The song she chose and the performance of 17-year-old Noya Shram were the reasons that divided the judges. Noya performed We’re Good by Dua Lipa. Keren Peles told her that although she has a wonderful voice, she thinks that the special moments that Israel is going through at the moment, are not compatible with a song like the one that Noya chose.

Let’s focus on the reality. Noya, I apologize for bumping into this time period but let’s not ignore it. Eurovision is not a normal party this year, it is not a celebration. We have to bring (to the competition) something internal, from the stomach and the heart. I felt that what you have to offer, which is amazing, does not fit the spirit of the times. In what we want to bring to Eurovision and in the voice we want.

On the other hand, an other member of the jury, Assaf Amdorsky, defended Noya and her choice, taking a different approach to the song with which he would like to see the next Israeli representative in the contest.

I was very disappointed to find that some of the judges are already aiming to send a song “in the spirit of the times” for Israel, and from the beginning they intend to send a ballad, which will be a peace hymn, in the style of songs that Israel sent for peace 25 years ago. The theme of the song that Israel will send to Eurovision this year needs to be well thought out – and I’m not really sure that the song “in the spirit of the times” is the right choice. A quality pop song is also a good choice for me! It’s also important to remember that the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in half a year, so we don’t know what the spirit of the times will be in Israel in half a year – hopefully the war will be over by then.

Check out Noya Shram’s  that was a bone of contention for the judges at the talent show:

For the record, Noya qualified to the next round, with 70% positive votes of the judges and the audience.

This disagreement of the judges about the style of the song that Israel’s entry in Eurovision 2024 should have, is something that is of great concern among the eurofans. The news about the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel’s decision to participate in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest are points of friction for many friends of the contest, with the EBU however not involving the political developments and normally confirming Israel’s presence in Malmö.

In what style of song do you think Israel will participate in Eurovision 2024? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix

Israel: What happened on the fourth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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Last night, Wednesday 06/12, the fourth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was broadcast, the talent show through which will emerge the next representative who will fly the flag of Israel in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden.

Four more artists advanced to the next round of HaKokhav Haba, continuing to claim the ticket to Malmö. On the fourth episode we watched five audtions, however only four artists qualified to the next round. 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.

Mika Moshe

Although Mika is 16 years old, she is already known in Israel, having even released a song that became a big hit. She participated in the Music School talent show when she was a student. Mika confidently stood on stage, although she had several insecurities, which cost her votes. But he convinced the public in general and most of the judges and so with 79% she qualified for the next phase.

Noya Shram

The choice of the song divided the judges, who thought that such a show might not fit the mood of the day, with some taking her side and some others not. Despite this, 17-year-old Noya passed to the next phase with 70%.

Liran Ben Moshe

Liran is 21 years old, he was a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and at the end of his service he decided he wanted to be a cook. He dedicated the song with which he participated to his sergeant who fell in the battle against the terrorist organization Hamas. Most reviewers were positive about it. With 75% he qualified for the next phase.

Oral Ravid

Oral is 16 years old, but as the judges commented, he has the confidence of a 70-year-old artist. The judges called Oral’s performance the best of today’s episode, although one of the judges didn’t give him a positive vote, thinking he might not be ready for Eurovision. With 87%, Oral passed to the next phase of the show.

HaKokhav Haba continues with more auditions in the next episode, which so far no one knows when this will be aired. Through HaKokhav HaBa, Israel managed to advance to the final of our favorite competition every year from 2015 to 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of Eurovision with the song “Toy”.

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

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

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