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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!

Israel: The 14 artists competing to represent the country in Eurovision 2024!

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The auditions’ stage of HaKokhav Haba, the Israeli artist’s selection format for Eurovision 2024, was concluded the past Wednesday following ten episodes. A total of thirty-five artists made it to the next stage, but only fourteen of them advanced to the main part of the show and will therefore compete for the Israeli representation in Malmö.

The procedure under which the fourteen artists were selected

During this evaluation process, all the contestants went on stage one by one and performed in front of the six judges.

  • Contestants who received a “blue yes” from all six judges automatically reserved their place in the show.
  • Contestants who received four or five “blue yeses” continued to the next stage where the judges discussed about which contestants deserved to stay on the show.
  • Contestants who received less than three “blue yeses” were eliminated from the show.

As a reminder HaKokhav Haba’s jury panel consists of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

The fourteen artists that passed to the next stage

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Yehuda Sadoo
  5. Shay Tamino
  6. Ido Bartel
  7. Or Cohen
  8. Jonathan Biton
  9. Mika Moshe
  10. Dor Shimoni
  11. Mika Curtis
  12. Gal Kafri
  13. Moria Angel
  14. Oral Ravid

What’s next for HaKokhav HaBa?

Starting this Wednesday we will have to say goodbye to one contestant in each episode. As the episodes go by, we will approach to the finals, which will take place in a month and then we will know the next Israeli representative in Eurovision.

Through the HaKokhav HaBa format, Israel has managed to qualify to the Grand Final every year from 2015 to 2020 and even won the contest in 2018 with Netta and her song “Toy“.

In 2023, Israel was represented in Liverpool by Noa Kirel and her song “Unicorn“, ending up in the third place of the scoreboard.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: Euromix

Israel: Everything that happened in the tenth episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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The tenth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Wednesday, December 27!

In episode ten, 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 consists of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

A total of 35 artists in total have qualified for the contest’s subsequent phase and one of these will ultimately represent Israel at Eurovision 2024. The tenth episode marks the end of the auditions’ stage.

Tal Sofer

Tal Sofer is eighteen years old. She has won numerous awards for her participation in music competitions around the world since she was a child. She comes from a musical family and enjoys pop music. Shiri Maimon, the country’s representative at Eurovision 2005, is her favorite singer.

Yosef Avraham

Yosef Avraham is eighteen years old and he is from Jerusalem. He has been passionate about music since he was a child. Yosef has an impressive and captivating voice, according to the judges, but he is still very young and needs more stage experience before reaching the Eurovision stage. He does, however, have a lot of potential, and there is something about him that makes the camera instantly fall in love with him.

Gal Juma

Gal Juma is twenty-one years old. She has been dancing and singing since she was three years old, and she has performed on the country’s biggest stages with many singers. Gal has a strong voice, according to the judges, but she chose the wrong song. She did, however, advance to the next round after the judges deemed her to sing rhythmic songs.

Mia Naftali

Mai Nefalati is twenty-one years old. She works as a kindergarten teacher. Mai’s voice impressed the judges, though they weren’t fond of the song choice. They believe that with the right song can go far.

The showrunners have stated that the tenth episode was also the final episode of the auditions.

The artists who will advance to the next stage of the competition and claim to represent Israel in Malmö will be announced next week. Approximately fourteen artists will advance to the next round.

Through the HaKokhav HaBa format, Israel has managed to qualify to the Grand Final every year from 2015 to 2020 and even won the contest in 2018 with Netta and her song “Toy“.

In 2023, Israel was represented in Liverpool by Noa Kirel and her song “Unicorn“, ending up in the third place of the scoreboard.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: Euromix

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

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The ninth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Monday, December 25!

In episode nine, 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 32cartists 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.

Michel Cohen

Michel, 25-year-old from Dimona, won the first season of “Μusic School” as a child and now he tries to represent Israel in Eurovision. He gave concerts in Israel and the whole world and he keeps on engaging with music With an 88% vote, and the vote of all the judges, Michel qualifies for the next phase.

Itai Ben Shalom

Itay, 23-year-old from Binyamina, and he studied in a music high school and at Ramon, he served in a military compound and he now dreams of representing Israel in Eurovision. Two judges thought his performance was old-fashioned and they didn’t vote. With the minimum threshold of 70%, he qualifies to the next phase.

Roman Belove

Roman, a 24-year-old refugee from Russia, left Moscow when the Russo-Ukrainian war started. His music style is rock. His performance confused the judges, with some being amazed and some not. He qualifies with a score of 72% to the next phase.

Sharon Kiddoshin

Sharon, 30-year-old from Tel Aviv, took part in the fourth season of  “The Star is Born” and ended up in fourth place. In the end of the season, she didn’t know how to keep on with her career and so abstained. Sharon chose to sing a new song, which she devotes to all women of Israel, that have gaced the cruelties of war. With the vote of all the judges, he qualifies with 79%.

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://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

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

Contestant to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024 killed in battles in Gaza!

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In today’s announcement, Israel’s Ministry of Defense reports the death of three members of its armed forces, in the battles taking place in the Gaza Strip. Among the three dead is Captain Shaoli Greenglick, who was seen competing about a month ago in HaKokhav Haba, the talent show through which the artist who will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 is chosen.

The 25-year-old singer appeared at the audition in military uniform, wanting to dedicate the song he performed to his friends who are fighting the Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, after the organization’s strike in Israel in October, which claimed the lives of 1,400 people, but also which resulted in the kidnapping of hundreds more innocent citizens.

With 83%, Shaoli Greenglick had managed to qualify for the next round of the talent show and soon we would see him again on our screens, since this week the stage of auditions is completed.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

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

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 

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!

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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