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Valerie Hamaty will represent Israel with a ballad, but Not in Arabic, if she Wins HaKokhav Haba

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Valerie Hamaty, a contestant on HaKokhav Haba, the talent show that selects Israel’s Eurovision representative, shares her thoughts in an interview about her potential participation in the contest, her motivations for representing Israel, and her decision not to sing in Arabic if chosen to perform on the Eurovision stage.

The 25-year-old singer, who hails from a Greek Orthodox Arabic-speaking family in Jaffa, states that the experience of last year’s contest, where Israel’s representative faced boos on stage, inspired her to take part. Despite receiving support from people of diverse backgrounds, Hamaty admits to encountering racist reactions, particularly from ultra-conservative Jews who oppose the idea of an Arabic-speaking representative for Israel in Basel.

Envisioning the Eurovision Stage

In her interview, Hamaty describes how she imagines herself performing on the Eurovision stage in Basel, should she be chosen:
“I see myself wearing a stunning dress, perhaps white, with elements that tell our story—but not in an overly obvious way. I’ll have dancers in the background, and I’ll sing a ballad, primarily in English, with a few lines in Hebrew. There’s no need to overcomplicate the performance; simplicity is key.”

Her vision recalls Eden Golan’s performance at last year’s Eurovision, where her song “Hurricane” secured 5th place. However, Hamaty emphasizes that her approach will reflect her unique style and voice.

Her Language Choice for the Song

Although Hamaty has performed songs in Arabic during HaKokhav Haba, she makes it clear that if she represents Israel, her song will be in English and Hebrew.
“The fact that I’m Arab is already evident; there’s no need to underline it further. English is necessary to connect with the European audience, while Hebrew represents Israel,” she explains.

Motivations and Overcoming Challenges

Hamaty’s decision to compete stems from the events of last October and her advocacy work promoting Israel abroad. She cites the incident of Eden Golan being booed in Malmö as a turning point:
“I’ve always wanted to perform at Eurovision. After the events of 2024, I felt it was the right time for me to take on this role.”

Who Is Valerie Hamaty?

Hamaty first gained recognition as a contestant on HaKokhav Haba in 2021, where she placed second. She has studied at the prestigious Rimon School of Music and participated in Dancing with the Stars.

As previously reported, Valerie Hamaty is a Greek Orthodox Rum, Arab speaking, a member of communities found throughout the Middle East.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: Euromix

EBU concerned over privatization of Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, has sent a letter to lawmakers in Israel expressing “deep concern” about government plans to privatize the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC).

“Such a move would not only threaten the media landscape in Israel but could also have serious implications for the democratic foundations of the country and its international reputation,” the letter to the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee states.

The EBU emphasizes that “shutting down the IPBC, government intervention, or reducing its budget would represent a departure from the standards upheld by democratic nations worldwide and could undermine both domestic trust and international credibility.”

The letter further notes that the broadcaster’s participation in the EBU offers significant benefits to Israel. These include participation in major international events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest – which was the most successful television program in Israel last year – and securing broadcasting rights for significant sports events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, ensuring free access for all Israeli citizens. Additionally, it highlights Kan’s contribution to showcasing Israeli culture, talent, and innovation on a global stage.

The EBU warns that privatizing the IPBC could jeopardize this relationship, likely leading to Kan’s exclusion from the Union and limiting Israelis’ access to key events and content.

The letter also recalls Kan’s vital role in covering the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which was widely distributed through the EBU’s international news network.

“Weakening or dismantling this institution could create a vacuum in reliable news dissemination, both domestically and internationally,” the EBU warns.

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Source: Times of Israel

Israel: The public service status of KAN and the country’s participation in Eurovision at risk

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The bill introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karai and Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb aims to cut funding for Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) from the state budget and transfer the management of television and radio to private hands. If the bill is approved, KAN will be sold to private entities and could be shut down by 2025, which could have serious consequences for Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Reactions and Risks to Press Freedom

This proposal has sparked strong reactions from various groups, including legal institutions and human rights activists. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has expressed concerns about the implications of this legislation, warning that it is a step that threatens press freedom and journalistic independence. She stated, “The proposal sends a serious message – broadcasts that do not align with the government’s agenda may lead to malicious actions against the media.”

The government, on the other hand, argues that transitioning the telecommunications and media sector to private hands will foster competition and reduce the waste of public funds. Shlomo Karai, the Communications Minister, claims that KAN has become an organization with controversial content and lacking the necessary oversight, which justifies its transfer to private ownership.

Implications for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

If the proposed bill is passed and KAN is privatized, Israel may lose its right to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest from 2025 onwards. KAN is a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is responsible for organizing the contest. According to EBU regulations, a member must have an independent public broadcaster that meets strict criteria for providing quality, independent content, such as news and cultural programming. With the closure of KAN, Israel may no longer meet the EBU’s requirements and could be excluded from the competition.

While a privately managed channel can join the EBU, the requirements for television services from private companies are stricter, demanding the adherence to high ethical standards and the provision of a variety of programming for the public. These requirements may be difficult to meet by existing private channels in Israel.

Support for and Reactions to KAN

On the other hand, KAN has been an important pillar for democracy in Israel, with many of its media outlets offering independent and objective content. The debate over transferring its management to private hands has raised concerns about journalistic independence and the impact such changes could have on the quality of information in Israeli society.

The government and its supporters argue that this change will enhance competitiveness and media freedom, while opponents warn of the risk of media manipulation and the weakening of democratic values in Israel.

EBU’s Response

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has expressed deep concern about the Israeli government’s push to pass legislation that could result in the closure of its Israeli member, KAN, and the shutdown of the country’s public service broadcasting. The bill aims to privatize the Israeli Public Broadcasting Institute by ending public funding and seeking a private buyer. If no buyer is found for its TV and radio networks, the public broadcaster could be shut down within two years.

EBU Director General Noel Curran said: “Public service broadcasting in Israel is under sustained political attack, facing threats that not only jeopardize its independence but also its very existence in the future.” Curran noted that the EBU shares the concerns of the Israeli Attorney General’s office, considering this political response from the government might be linked to KAN’s content. He said that the government either wants to take full control or shut down the broadcaster altogether.

Israel’s public broadcaster has been a member of the EBU since 1957, and as a member, it has access to news, sports, and music content from the broad network of European public service broadcasters.

Conclusion

The new privatization law for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Institute brings with it significant political, social, and cultural consequences for Israel. Reactions are strong, with concerns about maintaining journalistic freedom and the country’s participation in important international events like Eurovision. Particularly concerning is the potential risk to Israel’s future participation in the Eurovision contest if the public broadcaster is privatized, which could threaten the country’s position in the competition after 2025.

Israel has officially registered for Eurovision 2025, with its representative to be selected through the talent show HaKokhav Haba.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all updates!

Source: Euromix, EBU

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.

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Israel: The artist for Eurovision 2025 will be selected through Hakokhav Haba!

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Israel’s public television (KAN) continues the successful recipe of Hakokhav Haba (The Rising Star), the talent show through which it basically chooses the artist to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Read more

Israel: Confirmed its participation for Eurovision 2025!

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The country that was in the spotlight this year like no other, both before and during the contest, has confirmed its participation for Eurovision 2025, while in a short time it will announce details of the selection process that will follow.

Israel’s public television has confirmed to our colleagues at Euromix that it will participate in Eurovision 2025 next May in Switzerland. In fact, as pointed out, KAN is going to give more information in the next period of time on how to highlight the artist, as well as the song, that will represent the country in the next contest.

Although they haven’t settled on the selection method so far, they are most likely to continue the Hakokhav Haba (Rising Star) format, through which since 2015 whenever they have used it they have always qualified for the final, achieving one win in 2018 and two more top 10s. Of course, internal selection is not excluded either (as was done in the case of Noa Kirel). The possibility of a national final does not seem to gather any chance.

KAN hopes that Eurovision 2025 will be quieter and with less drama, hoping for a more peaceful season for everyone.

Israel is the 11th country so far to have expressed a desire to participate in Eurovision 2024, following Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Germany and host Switzerland .

We remind you that Israel was represented this year by Eden Golan with Hurricane, which won fifth place.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix