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Israel: The Grand Final of HaKokhav HaBa – Eurovision 2025 Edition is Tonight!

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The big night has finally arrived for Israel, as the country prepares to select its representative for Eurovision 2025. After nearly two and a half months and more than 30 episodes, the journey of HaKokhav HaBa – Eurovision 2025 Edition culminates tonight, with four artists competing for the ultimate prize: the chance to represent Israel in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland.

The Hosts and Judges

Returning to guide the show are long-time hosts Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, a duo that has fronted the competition since 2014. The judges’ panel features a stellar lineup:

  • Shiri Maimon
  • Itay Levy
  • Assaf Amdorsky
  • Ran Dankar
  • Keren Pels
    The panel also welcomes Eden Hasson as its newest addition for this season.

Finalists and Format

After an intense series of auditions, eliminations, and performances, four artists have reached tonight’s grand finale, aiming for victory and the honor of representing Israel. The finalists are:

  • Valerie Hamaty
  • Daniel Weiss
  • Yuval Raphael
  • Red Band & Moran Aharoni

The final will unfold in two distinct rounds:

  1. First Round: Each finalist will perform one song. Based solely on public televoting, the top three artists will advance to the second round.
  2. Second Round: The remaining three artists will each present another song. This time, the winner will be determined through a combined voting system, comprising:
    • Israeli televotes
    • Scores from the six judges
    • Input from a special jury panel

The artist with the highest cumulative score will be crowned the winner and will fly the Israeli flag in Basel.

When Will the Song Be Revealed?

While the artist will be decided tonight, the song they’ll perform at Eurovision will be revealed later. Composers selected by Israel’s public broadcaster have until early February to submit their proposals. Following internal discussions with tonight’s winner, the song will be finalized and unveiled in March.

Where to Watch the Final?

You can tune in to the grand final of HaKokhav HaBa tonight at 20:30 CET on Keshet 12. Watch it via:

Israel’s Eurovision Legacy

Last year, Israel was represented at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö by Eden Golan and her song “Hurricane”, which earned the country an impressive fifth place in the Grand Final.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all updates about Israel’s road to Eurovision 2025 in Basel!

 

 

Israel: The song for Eurovision 2025 to be selected by a professional committee!

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Israel‘s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, to be performed by the winner of HaKokhav Haba, will be selected by a committee of professionals on behalf of the national broadcaster IPBC and Keshet 12. Song submissions will be open to distinguished artists who will receive an invitation from the committee of professionals.

IPBC and Keshet 12 have begun contacting 120 artists from all genres of Israeli music, selected by a professional committee, to propose songs to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel. The submission process will be open until February 2, 2025.

The IPBC stressed to the creators that the song for the Eurovision Song Contest can be in any language, but it must contain some sentences in Hebrew. An applicant creator will be allowed to submit a song alone or with other artists, but all but one of the creators must have Israeli citizenship.

The jury, which will consist of professionals from IPBC and Keshet, who have musical and television knowledge and experience, will then meet. The jury is expected to listen to the songs and select the most suitable one.

The selected song will be arranged, recorded and a video clip will be created in order to be presented in March 2025 in a special televised show.

The return of the “Hurricane” team

Two of the creators of this year’s Israeli entry “Hurricane”, performed by Eden Golan last May at Eurovision 2024, are set to participate in the song submission process for Eurovision 2025. These two members of the “Hurricane” team are Keren Peles and Avi Ohayon.

https://youtu.be/K60BWlEhtAA

The professional committee

The special professional committee will consist of 7 members:

  • The chairman of the committee – the director of the IPBC music stations.
  • Two representatives of the radio – music editors to be selected by the chairman of the committee.
  • Two representatives of the television – the director of the IPBC entertainment and culture department and one more representative to be selected by her.
  • Two representatives of Keshet.

The vote of each member of the committee will be in accordance with professional criteria, such as: the quality and originality of the lyrics and melody, the suitability of the song for the representative artist, the suitability of the song for the Eurovision Song Contest, the chances of the song succeeding in the Eurovision Song Contest, the suitability for representing the company as a public broadcaster, the overall impression the song leaves and other relevant criteria as decided by the jury. The proposed songs will be played and their lyrics will be presented to the committee anonymously, without revealing the identity of the song creators to the jury members. Creators participating in the selection process for the Israeli song will not be able to participate in writting/comppsing a song for another country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

According to the regulations, if the committee does not find a suitable song, it may publish an invitation to the general public for additional songs, select a song that was publicly published after September 1, or select a song from other songs submitted to the company for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest between the years 2022-2024.

Sources: euromix / euromix

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

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Israel: All the highlights from the seventeenth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The seventeenth episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired last night. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

The format

As we advance to the next stage of the contest, the judging panel has selected a total of twenty-one contestants.

In each episode, a number of these participants will take the stage on The Next Star. The contestant with the lowest score of the night will ultimately be eliminated from the competition, losing their chance to represent Israel in Basel for Eurovision 2025.

So far, two contestants have already been eliminated, leaving nineteen contestants still in the running.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

    • Assaf Amdursky
    • Keren Peles
    • Shiri Maimon
    • Eden Hason
    • Ran Danker
    • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In last night’s episode of The Next Star, seven participants took the stage. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Nati Livian: After delivering a captivating audition, Nati performed “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. His performance was solid, and he demonstrated international potential. However, not all judges were impressed. Assaf Amdursky and Ran Danker did not vote for him, and Nati ultimately received a score of 77%.
  • Parfilab Mongoza: Dressed in a sparkling cream-colored dress and accompanied by backing singers, Parfilab performed “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna. The judges gave her overall positive feedback, with all but Itay Levi voting for her. Parfilab finished with a score of 84%.
  • Itay Paz: For his performance, Itay chose “Chom Yuli Ougost” by Shlomo Artzi. His emotional delivery, expressing a deep connection to the song, impressed the judges. They all voted for him, and Itay received a score of 85%.
  • Aviad Klein: Accompanied by dancers, Aviad performed “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. Despite a solid performance, the judges noted a lack of authenticity, with Ran Danker choosing not to vote for him. Aviad received a score of 77%, tying with Nati. However, Nati had a slightly higher score at a decimal point, leaving Aviad at risk of elimination.
  • Shira Knop: Shira is the only contestant this season to have been saved by the judges during the auditions. She performed “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles in the next stage of the contest. While she appeared confident, something seemed off, and Ran Danker did not vote for her. Shira received the lowest score so far, 70%.
  • Ily Avidani: Ily performed “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, accompanied by his piano. His improvisations, however, did not impress the judges, with both Assaf and Ran opting not to vote for him. Nonetheless, Ily received a score of 76%, securing his spot in the competition.
  • Moran Aharoni and Red Band: In an intriguing collaboration, Moran and Red Band performed an English version of “Haim Lihiot Bach Me’ohav” by Aviv Gefen. The judges praised their performance, and they all voted for them. Moran Aharoni and Red Band received a 93% score – the highest of the night.

As Shira Knop received the lowest score of the night, she was eventually eliminated from the competition.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

Israel: All the highlights from the ninth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The ninth episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired last night. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

    • Assaf Amdursky
    • Keren Peles
    • Shiri Maimon
    • Eden Hason
    • Ran Danker
    • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In yesterday’s episode, six more contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Eliad Peretz (23): A singer, keyboardist, and music producer, Eliad is about to release an album. Although his musical roots are in oriental music, he is currently into pop-indie and R&B. For his audition, Eliad performed a song by Ofer Levy and impressed the judges with his unique vocal style. All the judges voted for him, and Eliad received a score of 86%.
  • Itai Paz (20): With roots from the United States, Itai draws inspiration from country music. For his audition, he performed “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan. His charisma was evident, and although the judges were impressed, Ran Danker refrained from voting due to doubts about Itai’s suitability for Eurovision. Ultimately, Itai received a score of 79%.
  • Noa Danai (28): Originally from New York, Noa traveled to Israel specifically for her audition. She sang “Russian Roulette” by Rihanna, but the judges had mixed opinions on her performance. Ran and Shiri were not convinced by her overly technical approach and lack of emotional depth, which led them to withhold their votes. Noa received a score of 74%.
  • Shaf Blaash (27): Having previously participated in “The Next Star” in 2019, Shaf returned with a powerful performance of “Shki’ot Adumot” by Eden Hason. His natural talent stood out, and his interpretation was praised by the original singer of the song, who was present on the panel. All the judges except Itay Levi voted for him, and Shaf received a score of 82%.
  • Noam Levy (27): A survivor of the tragic events of October 7, Noam uses music as a way to process the emotional aftermath of the incident. She performed “Hagoleh” by Dudu Tassa in an incredibly emotional rendition. The authenticity and purity of her performance resonated with the judges, who all voted for her. Noam received a score of 89%.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast Tuesday night.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

Israel: All the highlights from the seventh episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The seventh episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired tonight. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

    • Assaf Amdursky
    • Keren Peles
    • Shiri Maimon
    • Eden Hason
    • Ran Danker
    • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In tonight’s episode, five contestants took the stage, and four of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Debbie James (36): Debbie, the daughter of a famous 80’s movie actor, brings experience to the stage, having previously provided backing vocals for Enrique Iglesias. For her audition, Debbie performed “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, showcasing her charisma. Despite her strong performance, Assaf Amdursky and Itay Levi did not vote for her, leaving Debbie with a score of 70%.
  • Udi Schneider (21): Udi made a bold impression with his performance of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, capturing the attention of the judges with his energy. His performance was so powerful that all the judges voted for him, resulting in a score of 88%.
  • Roy Elbaz (20): A detective with the Israeli police, Roy Elbaz has a strong passion for music. For his audition, he performed a song by Bar Tzabary, delivering a confident and original interpretation. His performance impressed the judges, who praised his uniqueness. However, Assaf Amdursky did not vote for him and Roy received a score of 76%.
  • Natali Zafar (19): At just 19 years old, Natali Zafar is already a songwriter and composer. For her audition, she performed her original song “Hayti Lech,” which speaks about overcoming anxiety. Her heartfelt performance captivated all the judges, who voted in her favor. With an impressive score of 94%, Natali has proven herself to be one of the standout contestants of the season.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast on Saturday evening.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

The truth about the Greek Orthodox Rum Valerie Hamaty’s heritage, who aims to represent Israel at Eurovision 2025

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In our previous article, we introduced Valerie Hamaty, the Arabic-speaking Christian Orthodox singer who made a strong impression on the latest episode of HaKokhav Haba. As one of the frontrunners, she’s vying to represent Israel at Eurovision 2025. In this article, we delve deeper into her heritage and explore what it means to be an Arabic-speaking Greek Orthodox in the Middle East.

The Inspiration Behind This Article

This article was inspired by a recent feature on the same topic by Tribune.gr. In our earlier coverage, we hesitated to delve into this aspect of the story (perhaps wrongly), as the topic of Israel remains a sensitive issue. Many react negatively to anything related to Israel without taking the time to read and understand the context.

The History of Arabic-Speaking Romioi

To understand what it means to be an Arabic-speaking Greek Orthodox in the Middle East and why they self-identify as “Rum” (Romioi), we must take a journey back through history.

After the 6th century A.D., when the region of today’s Middle East fell under Arab rule, the Greek language gradually disappeared. However, many inhabitants retained their Orthodox Christian faith and continued to identify as “Romans,” acknowledging the Eastern Roman Empire (today called the Byzantine Empire) as their homeland.

Ecclesiastically, these populations belong to the Patriarchate of Antioch, which was originally based in Antioch but is now headquartered in Damascus. Until the late 19th century, the Patriarchate of Antioch, like the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was led by Greek Patriarchs. However, Russian intervention aimed at diminishing Greek influence led to the election of Arabic-speaking Patriarchs starting in 1899. Despite this shift, the Patriarchate retains its title as the “Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch,” and the Greek flag still flies at its headquarters in Damascus.

The Romioi of the Middle East

The spotlight on the Romioi community reignited after a recent devastating earthquake in Antioch, Turkey, which brought attention to their centuries-old presence in the region. Although they speak Arabic, they identify as Romioi, and many have migrated to Istanbul in recent decades. Their children attend Greek schools in the city, helping to sustain the minority tradition. Today, the number of Arabic-speaking students in these schools is nearly equal to that of Greek-speaking students.

Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians primarily live in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Antioch, with smaller populations in the Palestinian Territories and Jordan. However, wars and emigration have significantly reduced their numbers.

Valerie Hamaty: A Romia for Eurovision 2025?

Valerie Hamaty, 25, an Arabic-speaking Christian Orthodox artist, recently captivated audiences on HaKokhav Haba, the talent show that determines Israel’s Eurovision representative. This is her second attempt at the show; in 2022, she finished as the runner-up. Besides her singing talent, she has also made a name for herself as an actress.

The possibility of Valerie representing Israel at Eurovision 2025 is highly symbolic. It highlights the multicultural fabric of Israeli society and serves as a powerful message of unity in a region fraught with political and religious divisions.

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

Her Main Rival

Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack, is seen as Valerie’s main competitor. Yuval survived the massacre at the Nova Festival by pretending to be dead for hours.

Local media and Eurovision fans in Israel suggest that these two talented artists will likely compete head-to-head for the ticket to Basel. Both carry significant symbolic weight, making the final decision highly anticipated.

A Competition Beyond Music

The developments in HaKokhav Haba promise to be exciting, as this selection process once again proves that Eurovision is more than just a music contest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Israel: All the highlights from the sixth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The sixth episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired tonight. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

  • Assaf Amdursky
  • Keren Peles
  • Shiri Maimon
  • Eden Hason
  • Ran Danker
  • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In tonight’s episode, six contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Noam Chen (16): At just 16 years old, Noam Chen is already showing a lot of promise with his musical talents. He plays both the ukulele and the guitar and has a strong passion for rock music. Noam performed “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, and his natural charisma and confidence on stage really impressed the judges. With unanimous votes from all of them, he scored an impressive 88%.
  • Niv Dagan (17): Coming from a musical family, Niv Dagan gave a heartfelt performance of “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. Her vocals were spot-on, and although she earned praise from most of the judges, Assaf Amdursky had some doubts, mentioning he wasn’t sure if she was ready for the Eurovision stage just yet. Despite this, Niv still earned a solid 86%, with everyone except Assaf voting for her.
  • Noa Lesri (20): Noa Lesri performed “Chomot Chimar” by Margalit Tzanani, bringing a natural and sensual energy to the stage. While the studio audience wasn’t totally sold on her performance, the judges were fully on board, and they all gave her their support, resulting in a score of 84%.
  • Esther Avka (30): A news anchor and popular TikTok content creator, Esther Avka took the stage to show she’s not just about her online presence, but also a serious artist. Despite receiving a solid 84%, Esther didn’t win over Assaf Amdursky, who chose not to vote for her.
  • Yuval Gold (25): Yuval Gold, a singer, music producer, and guitarist, wowed the judges with an original song titled “Be Nice.” His performance stood out for its unique style, and the judges didn’t hesitate to give him the highest score of the night, 96%. Yuval’s originality and musical talent are definitely setting him apart as a strong contender in the competition.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast on Tuesday evening.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

Israel: All the highlights from the fifth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The fifth episode of the highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025, HaKokhav Haba, aired tonight. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

  • Assaf Amdursky
  • Keren Peles
  • Shiri Maimon
  • Eden Hason
  • Ran Danker
  • Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In tonight’s episode, six contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Elikir Keren (27): While serving in the military, Elikir Keren rediscovered his passion for music and decided to pursue his dream. Performing “Hagoral Haze,” his stage presence and charisma left a lasting impression on the judges. His powerful performance earned unanimous votes, resulting in an impressive score of 95%.
  • Harel Cohen (24): Working as a bartender, Harel Cohen took to the stage with an energetic rendition of “Lose Control“ by Teddy Swims. His performance brought life to the audience and received praise from most of the judges. However, Assaf Amdursky chose not to vote for him, and Harel finished with a score of 88%.
  • Uri Saban (21): Uri Saban has overcome personal challenges, including a diagnosis of stuttering, to find his true passion in singing, which allows him to express himself freely. Uri performed “Shirai Dika’on,” and his heartfelt rendition moved the judges. Despite Assaf Amdursky not voting for him, Uri received overwhelming support from the rest of the panel, finishing with a score of 86%.
  • Ofir Harosh (23): A multi-talented singer, model, and content creator, Ofir Harosh returned to “The Next Star” after previously competing in 2018, where she was eliminated early. This time, she performed “On My Own” by Nika Costa, showcasing her natural charisma and stage presence. Despite her strong performance, Shiri Maimon and Ran Danker chose not to vote for her, resulting in a score of 86%.
  • Valerie Hamati (25): One of the standout performers of the night, Valerie Hamati is no stranger to the spotlight. A runner-up on “The Next Star” in 2021 and a former participant on “Dancing with the Stars,” Valerie returned to the competition with her eyes set on representing Israel in Basel. Known for her Arab-Israeli heritage, she chose to perform “Sea Wind” by Ofer Levi, singing the chorus in Arabic. Adding an element of intrigue, Valerie performed wearing a mask to keep her identity concealed. Once she finished, the judges were stunned, and her true identity was revealed. Her powerful performance earned her a score of 93%, making her one of the favorites to win the coveted spot in Basel, displaying herself as a symbol of unity.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast tomorrow evening.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

Israel: A Christian, Arab-Origin singer to represent the country at Eurovision 2025?

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Valerie Hamaty, a 25-year-old Arab-origin, Orthodox Christian singer, is rumored to be participating in the upcoming episode of HaKokhav Haba, the talent show through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2025 will be selected.

For the second time, Valerie Hamaty will try her luck on HaKokhav Haba, after already making a significant mark in Israel’s music scene. In 2022, she secured second place, although that year Israel’s Eurovision representative was chosen through a different talent show, X Factor. In addition to her singing career, Hamaty has also built a notable path in acting.

The possibility of Valerie Hamaty, an Arab-origin Orthodox Christian singer, representing Israel at Eurovision 2025 is highly symbolic and impactful. If it happens, it will signal a strong indication of social and cultural unity in a region with deep political and religious divisions. Although of Arab descent, Hamaty is part of Israeli society and represents the multiculturalism that defines Israel, a factor that could prove particularly significant on such an international stage as Eurovision.

We will, of course, have to wait until tonight to see if the rumors are confirmed, and whether Valerie Hamaty is among the contestants. Her potential participation will undoubtedly spark new discussions, with the symbolic weight of her possible representation of Israel in Basel being more than evident.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Israel: Everything That Happened in the Third Episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The third episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show that will determine the artist representing Israel at Eurovision 2025, aired on Sunday night, November 17.

In this episode, we witnessed five auditions, with only four contestants advancing to the next round, continuing their quest for a ticket to Basel. Hosts of HaKokhav Haba are Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, who have held this role since 2014. The judging panel consists of Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Eden Hasson, Ran Dankar, and Keren Peles.

Contestants and Their Performances

Aviad Klein

At 25 years old, Aviad Klein has already composed songs for Eden Meiri, Yasmin Moalem, ShrekDiMC, and others. This marks his first appearance on stage as a singer. He performed Adele’s “When We Were Young,” showcasing impressive vocal abilities, earning an outstanding score of 96%.

Amit Sade

Amit Sade, a 23-year-old sales assistant, chose to sing “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara. Her rare voice resembles that of international pop-soul stars, garnering unanimous approval from the judges. Amit advanced to the next stage with a score of 96%.

Tamir Vaknin

Tamir Vaknin revealed that he had a troubled youth, struggling with anger issues and spending time in rehabilitation institutions. With experience performing on small stages such as nightclubs and parties, Tamir sang “Eir Nemal” by Eyal Golan. He scored 81% and progressed to the next round, although Assaf Amdorsky voted against him.

Red Band and Moran Aharoni

The Red Band is an Israeli puppet performance group founded in 2005 by Ari Pepper, Micah Doman, and Ami Weisel, blending unique music with comedy. Featuring puppet characters like Red Auerbach (vocals), Poncho (guitar), and Lefty (keyboards), the group has toured both nationally and internationally, performing rock and folk song covers.

They were joined by Moran Aharoni, a singer-songwriter who rose to prominence on the fourth season of Kohav Nold. He later participated in The Next Star for Eurovision 2020, reaching the semifinals. Known for his wide vocal range, Moran brings drama to their act, while Red Band adds rock and comedy. Together, they performed “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man, scoring 82%. Despite advancing, they received a negative vote from Assaf Amdorsky.

More About HaKokhav Haba

The show continues with more auditions in the upcoming episodes. From 2015 to 2020, HaKokhav Haba successfully secured Israel’s spot in Eurovision’s grand final every year, with Netta winning the competition in 2018 with her song “Toy.”

Last year’s winner of HaKokhav Haba and Israel’s Eurovision 2024 representative, Eden Golan, placed fifth in the final rankings with her song “Hurricane.”

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel!