Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Drama in Croatia: Karolina Ilic Was Unexpectedly Disqualified!

December 10, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); One week after Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT revealed the 24 contestants for Dora 2026, an unexpected change was announced — one participant was disqualified and replaced by a new contender. Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT revealed exactly one week ago the 24 contestants expected to compete in “Dora 2026”, the pre-selection through which the country will choose its representative for Eurovision 2026. The broadcaster also announced four backup entries, prepared in case one of the participants withdraws or is disqualified. Now, a surprising development has occurred — one contestant has indeed been disqualified. Why was she removed? Who will replace her and compete for the honor of representing Croatia at the prestigious contest? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); HRT announced today the sudden disqualification of one of the contestants: singer Karolina Ilic, who was set to compete with her song “Breathe Her In”. According to HRT, Karolina was disqualified because she is not a Croatian citizen. Under Dora’s official rules, all participants must...

Poland: We Will Not Join the Boycott Against Israel!

December 10, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite anti-Israel protests, Poland reconfirms its participation in Eurovision 2026! Poland’s national broadcaster TVP had already confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 early last month. However, today - following the decision that Israel will indeed take part - the broadcaster reiterated its position clearly: Poland will participate and will not join the boycott against Israel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Poland Decides About a week after the EBU’s General Assembly confirmed Israel’s participation, several countries, including Spain, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Ireland announced their withdrawal. Yet Poland chose a different path, reasserting its participation—a move that surprised many and sparked widespread debate. Public Backlash – But Poland Stands Firm In Poland, social media quickly filled with calls for the Polish national broadcaster to join the boycott. Local media reported that TVP received hundreds of emails urging it to withdraw from Eurovision 2026. Opponents of the decision argued that TVP should act as it did regarding Russia - calling for its exclusion the morning after its invasion of...

Germany: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 Will Be Chosen on February 28th

December 10, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany’s national broadcaster SWR revealed that “Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale 2026,” where the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be selected, is set for February 28th. Germany’s national broadcaster SWR announced today (Wednesday) that the German national selection show, “Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale 2026,” will be held on February 28th, at 20:15 CET. The event will air via ARD and will also be available for streaming through ARD Mediathek. By the end of the live broadcast, Germany’s representative and song for Eurovision 2026 - set to take place in Vienna, Austria - will be revealed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany Isn’t Playing Around This year, Germany’s selection process includes multiple stages, among them songwriting camps organized by SWR. During these camps, artists aspiring to represent Germany have been collaborating with well-known and experienced producers and performers, all with one clear goal - to secure Germany’s best Eurovision result in years, or possibly...

Eurovision 2026: Moments Before the Deadline – Iceland, Poland, and Armenia Must Decide

December 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The final confirmation deadline for Eurovision 2026 ends today. Iceland, Poland, and Armenia have yet to announce their decisions as Iceland and Poland hold last-minute talks about a possible boycott. As the final hours of the official deadline tick away, it has been revealed that Iceland and Poland have yet to announce whether they will participate in Eurovision 2026. According to available information, both nations are debating whether to join the boycott over Israel’s participation. The EBU has set today as the final registration deadline, and the decisions of these countries could significantly alter the list of participants. So far, 33 national broadcasters have confirmed their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled to take place this year in Vienna. However, three - AMPTV from Armenia, RÚV from Iceland, and TVP from Poland - have yet to officially announce their decisions. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland to Decide Today: Will It Boycott Eurovision 2026? At this crucial moment, Iceland stands at a crossroads...

Eurovision 2026: EBU Declares “No Change in Participation Fees”

December 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU faces financial challenges but confirms: “Participation fees for Eurovision 2026 remain unchanged despite the withdrawal wave from Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain”. In recent hours, the EBU issued a clarification stating that participation fees for Eurovision 2026 will remain unchanged - despite an unusual wave of withdrawals by Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain from the contest. This clarification follows growing concern among participating countries amid one of the most dramatic crises in Eurovision’s history. Four nations announced their withdrawal after last Thursday’s EBU meeting, which officially approved Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The concern was that the remaining participants would have to absorb the budget gap created by these withdrawals. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to a report by the Norwegian national broadcaster NRK, the channel contacted the EBU to ask whether the recent withdrawals would lead to higher participation fees - costs that each competing nation must pay to take part in the contest. The Norwegian...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 13: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

December 7, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 13: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Maya Rose, Harel Mauda, Elimelech Talaleh, Ofek Cohen, and Yaron As. Tonight, the thirteenth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 59 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The auditions will conclude this coming Tuesday. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision 2018 with the song "Toy", and Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Elad Shahar Elad Shahar, 25 years old from Tel Aviv. His mother shared that she always knew he would become a singer....

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 12: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

December 6, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 12: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Nathan Ben Shimon, Sandy Deri, Eden Hen, Nuriel Yashar, and Rotem Sharabi. Tonight, the twelfth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 54 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The auditions will conclude this coming Tuesday. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision 2018 with the song "Toy", and Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva", alongside her agent Shai Kerem. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nathan Ben Shimon Nathan Ben Shimon, 20 years old from Ra’anana. He previously...

Geert Wilders Shocked: “The Dutch Withdrawal from Eurovision – Antisemitism!”

December 5, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The opposition leader shocks the Netherlands with an unprecedented response following his country's withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 - Accuses decision-makers of antisemitism and calls to disband AVROTROS. Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch opposition and head of the right-wing Party for Freedom, has launched a scathing critique against the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS for its decision to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's participation. Mere minutes after the broadcaster announced the country's withdrawal, the politician accused the public broadcaster of antisemitism and demanded its disbandment in a social media post. The politician addressed the public with an unequivocal statement leaving no room for hesitation, writing: "Antisemitism and hatred of Israel rejected in the ugliest way. Abolish AVROTROS!" (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Antisemitisme en walgelijke Israël-haat in zijn lelijkste vorm. Opheffen die AVROTROS! #songfestival https://t.co/DWn6dHfJ9L — Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) December 4, 2025 Many people worldwide agree with Wilders. The Eurovision contest aims to unite European countries on one stage through music, without any reference to...

Belgium Over Israel’s Participation: “Culture Is Never Entertainment Detached from Reality”

December 5, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the Geneva conference: Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, while issuing a controversial statement regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip. Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster, RTBF has confirmed that the country will participate in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. Belgium becomes the 33rd country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium Before the Conference Until now, Belgium’s position appeared very inconsistent. The country confirmed its participation on July 8th but withdrew the statement only few days later. In August, reports even suggested that Belgium had already chosen its representative for Vienna, though the broadcaster quickly denied the rumors even when another familiar name associated with representing Belgium. On September...

“How Will More Hatred and Pain Help?”: Israeli Representatives Respond to the Decision and the Withdrawals

December 5, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Geneva conference shakes the Eurovision community: three former Israeli representatives react for the first time to Israel’s confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and to the following withdrawals. Netta Barzilai, Yuval Raphael, and Dana International, who represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, share for the first time their feelings following the decision that Israel will participate in Eurovision 2026, and react to the announcements of withdrawal from Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dana International to withdrawing countries: "I performed in your countries several times — what changed?" The singer, winner of Eurovision 1998 with the song “Diva”, shared on her Instagram page an emotional post expressing deep frustration and reflection following the conference. She posted in two languages – Hebrew and English – aiming to reach audiences worldwide. Between the two posts, a notable difference emerged. In Hebrew, she focused on the frustration felt by many Israelis and the...