HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 18: Ori Berko Is the Third Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 18: Ori Berko Is the Third Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ori Berko is the third contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 18 contestants remain in the race, including Stav Vaknin, Tamir Levy, Michael HarPaz, Shaia Avitan, Nave Levi and Dorin Or. Full recap of Episode 18. Last week, a special episode revealed the 21 contestants who made it into the finalists’ team of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026. The decision was made after a tense evening of repeated performances before the season’s five judges — with one clear goal: only one contestant will represent Israel at Eurovision. The selection process dramatically narrowed the competition, officially positioning the remaining contestants in the opening lineup for the battle to represent Israel at Eurovision. Tonight, seven contestants took the show’s main stage, facing off head-to-head. According to the format, the contestant receiving the lowest score would be eliminated at the end of the episode — marking the immediate end of their Eurovision journey. This first elimination round heightened the tension and made one thing clear: the road to Eurovision is short, competitive, and unforgiving....
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Because of Israel: Dinis Mota Joins Artists’ Revolt at Festival da Canção 2026

Because of Israel: Dinis Mota Joins Artists’ Revolt at Festival da Canção 2026

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The drama at Festival da Canção continues: Dinis Mota joins the artists’ revolt and declares he will refuse to represent Portugal at Eurovision following the decision to allow Israel to take part in Eurovision 2026. Will the revolt affect Portugal’s selection process? Two days ago (Tuesday), the artist Dinis Mota, who is competing in Festival da Canção 2026, announced on social media that he will not represent Portugal at the upcoming contest in Vienna, Austria if he wins the festival, following the decision that Israel will take part in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “I Can't Ignore the Injustices Being Committed in Gaza” In a post on his Instagram page, the artist stated that he will not represent Portugal if he wins the festival, because he feels that he “Cannot continue to go about daily life as usual in light of Israel’s fighting in Gaza”. “As a citizen, a musician and a human being, I cannot ignore the injustices being committed in...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 17: Daniel Shevtsov Is the Second Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 17: Daniel Shevtsov Is the Second Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Daniel Shevtsov is the second contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 19 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Shaked Solomon, Gal De Paz, Eitan Aharon, Mentamer Taganya and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 17. Last Friday’s special episode revealed the 21 contestants who made it into the finalists’ team of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026. The decision was made after a tense evening of repeated performances before the season’s five judges — with one clear goal: only one contestant will represent Israel at Eurovision. The selection process dramatically narrowed the competition, officially positioning the remaining contestants in the opening lineup for the battle to represent Israel at Eurovision. Tonight, seven contestants took the show’s main stage, facing off head-to-head. According to the format, the contestant receiving the lowest score would be eliminated at the end of the episode — marking the immediate end of their Eurovision journey. This first elimination round heightened the tension and made one...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 16: Saar Hadar Is the First Contestant Eliminated From the Show

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 16: Saar Hadar Is the First Contestant Eliminated From the Show

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Saar Hadar is the first contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 20 contestants remain in the race, including Agam Hazan, Elior Shemesh, Daniel Azar, Portrait Band, Gili Tsanaani, and Alona Erez. Full recap of Episode 16. Last night’s special episode revealed the 21 contestants who made it into the finalists’ team of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026. The decision was made after a tense evening of repeated performances before the season’s five judges — with one clear goal: only one contestant will represent Israel at Eurovision. The selection process dramatically narrowed the competition, officially positioning the remaining contestants in the opening lineup for the battle to represent Israel at Eurovision. Tonight, seven contestants took the show’s main stage, facing off head-to-head. According to the format, the contestant receiving the lowest score would be eliminated at the end of the episode — marking the immediate end of their Eurovision journey. This first elimination round heightened the tension and made one thing clear: the road to Eurovision...
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Israel Leads the Betting Odds for Eurovision 2026 Even Before Any Songs Are Selected

Israel Leads the Betting Odds for Eurovision 2026 Even Before Any Songs Are Selected

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite growing calls for a boycott, early betting odds place Israel as the leading contender to win Eurovision 2026 in Vienna - before any song has been chosen. With the release of the first betting odds for Eurovision 2026, scheduled for May in Vienna, excitement surrounding the 70th edition of the contest is already rapidly building. The international betting platform Betfair published its initial odds, placing Israel as the frontrunner for victory. This ranking comes shortly after Israel’s participation was officially confirmed during the EBU General Assembly and amid the country’s consistently strong performance in the televote in recent years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel on Top – Who Follows? Alongside Israel, ranked first, Sweden holds second place, consistent with its longstanding reputation as one of the most successful countries in Eurovision history. Finland, benefiting from a significant renewal in its national selection process, sits in third. Ukraine, which almost every year enjoys substantial...
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Israel at Eurovision: Noa Kirel Criticizes the Withdrawn Countries – “Ignoring Reality”

Israel at Eurovision: Noa Kirel Criticizes the Withdrawn Countries – “Ignoring Reality”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Noa Kirel opens up in an interview about the criticism directed at Israel, the withdrawal of five countries from Eurovision in protest of Israel’s participation, and various other hot topics related to the contest. Noa Kirel, Israel’s 2023 Eurovision representative with the song “Unicorn” — which earned third place — gave an emotional interview to the British national broadcaster BBC television program “The World Tonight”. Speaking openly, she reflected on the major changes in Eurovision since her performance, particularly in light of the ongoing Israel–Gaza conflict and the shifting attitudes toward Israeli participants over the past two years. Kirel highlighted the importance of Israel’s confirmed participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. She also commented on the decision by Iceland, Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to withdraw from the contest in protest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kirel expressed her deep disappointment at the decision of the five countries to boycott Eurovision, citing accusations...
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Nemo Against Israel’s Participation: “I’m Returning the Trophy to the EBU”

Nemo Against Israel’s Participation: “I’m Returning the Trophy to the EBU”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo Mettler announces they are returning their trophy, protesting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. A week after the historic conference held by the EBU in Switzerland - approving Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 - the controversy continues to escalate. Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo Mettler posted a statement on Instagram today (Thursday), declaring that they will return the trophy awarded for their victory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “I’ve decided to send the trophy back” "Last year I won Eurovision, and with it came the trophy, [...] Although I’m immensely grateful for the community around this competition and everything this experience has taught me - both as a person and an artist - today I no longer feel that this trophy belongs on my shelf. Eurovision claims to stand for unity, inclusion, and respect for everyone. These values are what made the contest meaningful for us. Yet Israel’s participation - while, according to the UN Independent...
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70% of Britons: Boycott Eurovision Because of Israel’s Participation!

70% of Britons: Boycott Eurovision Because of Israel’s Participation!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 82% of Britons say Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision 2026 after the EBU ruled it may participate. What do party leaders in the United Kingdom think? A survey conducted in Britain found that seven out of every ten people in the United Kingdom support boycotting Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation. The EBU convened a committee on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at which it was decided that Israel will continue to participate in the contest. Countries such as Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and The Netherlands – and yesterday, December 10th,  2025, also Iceland – announced that they will boycott the contest after calling for Israel to be disqualified because of the military operation in Gaza, and even accused Israel of using unfair voting methods at Eurovision 2025. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 70% of Britons support boycotting Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation, according to a survey conducted in the country. The EBU ruled last...
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Portugal: Eurovision 2026 Participation Confirmed Despite Boycott

Portugal: Eurovision 2026 Participation Confirmed Despite Boycott

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Portugal's RTP confirms Eurovision 2026 participation despite a massive artist boycott at Festival da Canção. Learn the latest on the controversial selection  Portugal's national broadcaster, RTP, confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, despite a protest from 11 of the 16 national pre-selection artists. The national broadcaster's statement is as follows: “Regardless of the decision of the artists who signed the declaration, the contents of which we understand, RTP will once again organize Festival da Canção and confirms its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, along with the overwhelming majority of EBU member countries”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The statement from the national broadcaster, RTP, comes in the wake of a declaration signed by 11 of the national pre-selection participants. “Silence Makes Us Complicit in Tragedy” The declaration reads: “Collectively, in a coordinated position among current and future creators and performers, we declare our refusal to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should the song of one of us win...
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Artists’ Revolt in Festival da Canção: “We Won’t Represent Portugal Because of Israel”

Artists’ Revolt in Festival da Canção: “We Won’t Represent Portugal Because of Israel”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); An unprecedented number of contestants in "Festival da Canção" declare they will refuse to represent the country if they win, protesting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. During the past weekend, Portugal’s national broadcaster RTP announced that it had voted in favor of the new contest regulations and supported Israel’s participation during the General Assembly of the EBU. The broadcaster has since faced internal backlash from its employees over this decision. Now, 11 out of 16 songwriters participating in the Portuguese Eurovision preselection “Festival da Canção 2026” have jointly declared that they will refuse to represent Portugal at Eurovision following the decision that Israel will take part in Eurovision 2026. This stance was made possible by a newly added clause in the festival’s regulations stipulating that the local winner is not obligated to represent Portugal at Eurovision - a contrast to previous years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In their joint statement, the eleven participating artists expressed unusually strong criticism of Israel, saying...
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