Shimrit Or Reflects on Writing “Hallelujah” and Israel’s Place in Eurovision

Shimrit Or Reflects on Writing “Hallelujah” and Israel’s Place in Eurovision

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Writer of Eurovision 1979 winner reveals why it’s not her creative peak and shares her views on Israel’s current Eurovision challenges Shimrit Or, who wrote the song "Hallelujah" that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979, revealed in an interview with Ynet celebrating her 80th birthday that despite the song’s phenomenal success, she does not regard it as the peak of her creativity, and she would not return to her Eurovision experience. "It was a nice experience," she said. "The song is very popular, worldwide, and we still get messages about new performances – the last I heard was from India. But it’s not a moment I would relive. I think the turning point was when I found the word ‘Hallelujah’, and then it just emerged from nowhere. I called my father (the songwriter Yaakov Orland) and he said, ‘Wonderful’. It really felt like a breakthrough. It is an eternal word that is part of many songs –...
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Change for The Better? Gert Kark Replaces Martin Österdahl in Eurovision’s Reference Group

Change for The Better? Gert Kark Replaces Martin Österdahl in Eurovision’s Reference Group

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU has appointed Gert Kark as the new Eurovision General Supervisor, succeeding Martin Österdahl, and joining the influential Reference Group shaping contest decisions Gert Kark has been officially appointed as a member of the Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group, replacing Martin Österdahl, who stepped down from his role as General Supervisor of the competition. Who is Gert Kark? Kark is no stranger to the EBU, serving as a television project manager within the organization. He was also involved as a project manager in multiple editions of Junior Eurovision and is a member of its steering group. The Role and Significance of the Reference Group The Reference Group functions as Eurovision’s “engine room” – the body overseeing, guiding, and making strategic decisions for the competition. Among its responsibilities are supervising production, selecting and approving host cities, updating rules, managing crises, handling the budget, and ensuring cultural diversity, fairness, and transparency in voting. For Israel, the proper functioning of the Reference Group is...
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Encouraging Trend: Denmark Joins Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision?

Encouraging Trend: Denmark Joins Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Here for music and culture": Denmark declares it will not support expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026, reinforcing international voices favoring Israel's continued participation in the contest. In times when the future of Israel’s participation in Eurovision remains clouded, every international statement is felt as either hope or concern. Last week, it was announced that the EBU decided to move forward the general assembly vote that will determine whether Israel continues to be part of Europe’s biggest stage – Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. While many Israeli fans wonder whether the nation will appear or be absent from this historic event, Denmark has now chosen to join the wave of support for Israel’s participation, declaring that it will not support a boycott or removal. is this a small hint of the atmosphere to be expected in the decisive assembly, or merely a temporary reassurance for Eurovision fans rallying behind the Israeli flag? (adsbygoogle...
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Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Fate: EBU Vote and Legal Battle

Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Fate: EBU Vote and Legal Battle

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Israel’s Eurovision 2026 fate rests on a landmark EBU vote, with legal disputes, alliances, and transparency issues shaping the dramatic outcome. The announcement of moving forward the vote on Israel’s fate in Eurovision 2026 to early November left the fan world tense and alert. Now that the initial picture is clearer, more complex questions arise: How will this vote actually be conducted? Who is sitting at the decision-making table, and what weight does each voice carry? The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) faces one of the greatest crises in its history, and the outcome will be determined in a diplomatic and legal battle where every detail matters. Yet, a close examination of the rules reveals that Israel’s removal will not be simple, and Israel has powerful legal arguments that may tip the scales. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Arena: Beyond Europe, Beyond Contestants Contrary to popular belief, the decision on Israel’s participation in Eurovision is not only...
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“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Amid European boycott threats, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed delegitimization efforts against Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and independent public broadcaster. Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke in an interview on the radio program “Kalman Liberman” on Kan Reshet Bet about the importance of public broadcasting and Israel’s future at Eurovision. His remarks come against the backdrop of calls to exclude Israel from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Eurovision: More Than Just a Musical Stage Regarding the wave of calls to boycott Israel at Eurovision, Herzog said: “I have seen dangerous processes that start at Eurovision and end elsewhere. The delegitimization of Israel and attempts to exclude us from every possible arena - these are moves intended to weaken us. It starts with Eurovision but extends to things that are vital to us. Every arena is important”. He noted in the interview that the public broadcaster KAN is doing its utmost to keep Israel...
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Official: Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen via “HaKokhav HaBa”!

Official: Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen via “HaKokhav HaBa”!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   After Yuval Raphael’s success at Eurovision 2025, KAN 11 and Keshet 12 will continue their collaboration to select Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria through “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”. Now it’s official: Although Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision remains uncertain following threats by some countries to withdraw if Israel competes, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and Keshet have agreed to extend their collaboration ahead of Eurovision 2026. The agreement guarantees the continuation of the popular show “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”, which will select Israel’s representative for the competition in Vienna, Austria. Filming is expected to begin at the end of October, with the season scheduled to air in mid-November. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Continued Success The decision to continue this partnership for the ninth consecutive year comes in light of the remarkable achievement of Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 representative, who finished in second place with her song “New Day Will Rise”. Raphael, chosen through the previous...
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“Three Decades of Spreading Light”: Dana International Honored at TLVFest 2025 with Special Award

“Three Decades of Spreading Light”: Dana International Honored at TLVFest 2025 with Special Award

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Eurovision star Dana International to receive honorary award at TLVFest 2025 for three decades of cultural impact and LGBTQ+ visibility Dana International, winner of Eurovision 1998 and one of the most influential figures in Israeli music and LGBTQ+ culture, will receive this year a special honorary award at the 20th edition of the TLVFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The festival will open on October 23rd at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and take place across Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Haifa until November 2nd. Groundbreaking Career The festival’s steering committee explained that the award is being presented to Dana for three decades of musical and cultural contributions, as well as for being a pioneering voice for LGBTQ+ visibility in Israel and worldwide. Dana began her career in the late 1980s performing drag shows at gay clubs, long before this culture was widely recognized. In 1992, she broke through with the single “Sa’ida Sultana", which led to a successful debut album and her second, “Umpatampa"....
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Austria’s ORF CEO: Full Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

Austria’s ORF CEO: Full Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria, the host country of Eurovision 2026, declares strong support for Israel against boycott threats, ahead of November’s decisive vote. The diplomatic battle over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has taken a dramatic turn with an unprecedented statement from one of the key stakeholders: the host country. In an interview with the local press, Roland Weißmann, CEO of Austrian broadcaster ORF, put an end to speculation and made it unequivocally clear that the national broadcaster fully supports the participation of Israel’s broadcaster "KAN" in the contest, which will be held in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Support Arises from Austria’s History" In an interview with Austrian newspaper Krone, when asked directly about growing boycott threats from other countries and broadcasters (such as the BBC), Weißmann did not hesitate. He revealed that his stance has been presented for months in various European Broadcasting Union (EBU) forums, and declared without reservation: “As I have represented in the EBU for months, and...
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He’s Back: Cesár Sampson Will Help Select Austria’s Entry for Eurovision 2026

He’s Back: Cesár Sampson Will Help Select Austria’s Entry for Eurovision 2026

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson joins the team selecting participants for the 2026 Austrian national selection. what kind of songs is he looking for? Austria is preparing to host Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: the Austrian national broadcaster ORF will hold, for the first time in a decade, an open national final to determine the country’s entry for the contest. The broadcaster has enlisted Cesár Sampson to assist with the complex mission of finding participants for “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich” (in English: Vienna Calling – Who Will Sing for Austria?), from which one act will earn the honor of representing Austria on home soil in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson Will Choose Austria’s National Selection Participants Cesár Sampson, who represented Austria in Eurovision 2018 and secured third place with "Nobody But You", revealed in an interview with Austrian station Ö3 that he will help select the songs competing for the right to represent...
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Is Spain Spreading Lies to Eliminate Israel from Eurovision? Portugal Strikes Back

Is Spain Spreading Lies to Eliminate Israel from Eurovision? Portugal Strikes Back

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 unfolds as a political drama: Portugal challenges Spain amid a media storm centered on Israel’s contested participation. Over the past two days, European news outlets have been abuzz with one question: will Portugal join the wave of countries threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the contest? Today, Portugal provided a clear answer. But why did the suggestion of Israel’s expulsion spark friction between the Portuguese and Spanish national broadcasters, with Portugal dismissing Spain’s report as lies? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Yesterday, Spanish national broadcaster RTVE reported that Portugal was considering joining a boycott of Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to remain in the competition. According to the report, Spain had already made clear it will withdraw for certain if Israel participates - joining other nations like Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. RTVE also hinted that Belgium might adopt a similar line, although this has not been officially declared. The claim was broadcast at...
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