Drama during Economic Committee discussions: Committee Chairman, MK David Bitan, announced that the law to close the Israeli national broadcaster, “KAN”, will not be advanced in the committee: “We need public broadcasting.” The section regarding the broadcaster’s budget will still be promoted.
During discussions of the Knesset’s (Israeli parliament) Economic Committee, Chairman David Bitan announced that the committee would not advance the law to close the Israeli national broadcaster, which had already passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had also intervened, sending a strongly worded letter to MK Bitan and other committee members, emphasizing the need for an independent broadcasting body. Bitan echoed this sentiment in his statement: “We need public broadcasting.”
What will be promoted in the committee is the section that will make the broadcaster’s budget subject to the state budget. This move could potentially compromise the independence of “KAN” and may jeopardize Israel’s participation in Eurovision. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded to this decision by saying they’d find another way to pass the bill.
EBU’s Earlier Response
In a statement issued by the EBU, it was noted: “We are deeply concerned about the proposed legislation from the Israeli government that would allow them to change or cancel items in the public broadcaster’s budget, putting at risk the editorial and financial independence of public media,” they add, “This development could be interpreted as an attempt by the Israeli government to exert greater direct control over KAN.” The union calls for an immediate halt to politicians’ efforts to interfere with the corporation’s budget. The public broadcasting corporation joined this call: “The proposed bill is another attempt to harm the independence and existence of the public broadcasting corporation.”
The Proposal and Its Implications
Despite the Economic Committee chairman’s announcement that the law to close the broadcaster will not be promoted, some sections that the coalition wanted to advance will proceed as usual. Among these is the section that will subject the broadcaster’s budget to the state budget, requiring annual government approval. This still puts the broadcaster’s independence at risk and, consequently, Israel’s participation in Eurovision.
The European Broadcasting Union has already warned committee members that the country’s participation in the international competition is in danger if the law passes. If enacted, the broadcaster’s budget would become vulnerable, as it would require government approval each year. Even if “KAN” is not closed, its independence would be at risk, and the EBU could still decide that “KAN” no longer meets the Union’s membership conditions.
The Journalists’ Organization stated that it would continue to fight against MK Bitan’s decision, arguing that it would politicize broadcasting and ultimately destroy public broadcasting in Israel.
Israel in Eurovision 2024
“Hurricane” is the name of the song performed by singer Eden Golan, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the tenth season of “HaKochav Haba”. Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 194 points, and in the grand final reached fifth place with 375 points. In the public vote, Israel came in second place, just 14 points behind the first place.
This is the second consecutive time that Israel has reached the top five, an achievement it had not attained since its streak of successes in 1998-1999.
Eurovision 2024: This was Israel’s 46th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the competition in 1973 and has won it four times over the years. Israel’s last victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.