Israel Archives - Page 9 of 33

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 14: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

December 9, 2025January 12, 2026 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 14: Last four contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Noam Pinto, Odelia Baranes, Ziv Bossidan and Omri Fils. Tonight, the fourteenth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 64 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and This was the final audition episode of the season. 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. On Friday, the intimate audition phase will begin, after which 21 contestants will be chosen to form the main lineup. 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 ||...

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....

“It was absolutely crazy”: Inside the debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation

December 7, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); During a tense Geneva conference, lawyer Ayala Mizrahi from national broadcaster Kan revealed details of the debate On Thursday, a pivotal discussion regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 took place, followed by a vote on the new regulations of the EBU. Representing Israel were the national broadcaster’s CEO Golan Yochpaz and Deputy CEO for Regulation, lawyer Ayala Mizrahi. They presented Israel’s position – which was ultimately accepted – before delegates from 68 member states at the General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting concluded with a decision approving Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tense atmosphere at the EBU General Assembly In an interview for the program “Kalman Lieberman” on Kan News, Mizrahi described the atmosphere she experienced as Israel’s representative facing delegates from countries leading the call to exclude Israel from the contest. “It was absolutely crazy”, Mizrahi recalled. “We arrived a day earlier, even though we’d been in contact with...

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...

BBC Hides Vote on Israel Eurovision 2026 Participation – Unlike France & Italy

December 6, 2025January 12, 2026 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The BBC backs the collective decision to keep Israel in Eurovision 2026, yet refuses to reveal its own vote. Is this silence a calculated bid to dodge political fallout? While broadcasters across Europe — from France to Portugal, — unveiled how they voted regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 at the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) General Assembly, the British national broadcaster (BBC) chose ambiguity. In a formal statement, the BBC expressed support for the “democratic decision” but did not specify how it voted. The Assembly overwhelmingly approved changes to EBU regulations — 738 in favor, 264 against — allowing all member broadcasters, including Israel, to participate automatically. Yet, one detail drew attention: 120 abstentions. According to media reports, the BBC is believed to be among the key broadcasters that refrained from voting. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dilemma of Tim Davie: Between the Hammer and the Anvil The BBC’s ambiguity wasn’t accidental. The broadcaster has long struggled to balance its position regarding the...

Portugal: Drama following support for Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026

December 6, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Portugal’s national broadcaster faces internal protests after supporting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, amid growing European calls for boycotts Over recent months, numerous voices in Portugal urged the country not to support Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Contestants in the Portuguese national selection announced they would withdraw if Israel took part, and Spain openly called on Portugal to join its stance. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, during Thursday’s conference, Portugal voted in favor of the new regulations and Israel’s continued participation in the competition. Internal Backlash at RTP Following the decision, Portugal’s national broadcaster RTP now faces growing internal conflict. According to local reports, several employees have expressed strong opposition to the network’s stance and to the decision not to withdraw from the contest under the current circumstances. The employees argue that Eurovision is entering one of the most polarized and controversial seasons in its history. They urge RTP’s management to reconsider its support and align with Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and...

Italy: “We supported Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026”

December 6, 2025December 6, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italy’s RAI confirms support for Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, highlighting unity among major “Big 5” nations behind the contest’s inclusive vision The EBU held a decisive vote last Thursday on regulatory changes to the Eurovision Song Contest, aimed among other things at giving juries more influence during the semi-finals. If those changes had not passed, another vote would have been held regarding Israel’s participation in the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The changes were approved in Thursday’s vote, securing Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. In response, Italy’s national broadcaster RAI released an official statement on Friday expressing support for Israel’s participation, alongside the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation KAN. RAI added that, as part of the “Big 5”, it felt it was right to support this decision, emphasizing that “Eurovision unites diverse cultures in a shared celebration, and we remain committed to the contest as a means of promoting our culture worldwide”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ||...

Eurovision 2026: Four Countries Withdraw – Why Sweden Goes Against the Flow?

December 5, 2025January 12, 2026 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the EBU’s approval of Israel’s participation, four countries withdrew from Eurovision 2026. Yet Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT urges calm and chooses a different path. What led Sweden to stand apart? At the General Assembly of the EBU, held yesterday in Geneva, Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 - set to take place this May in Vienna - was officially approved, alongside rule adjustments enabling this decision. Following the announcement, the national broadcasters of Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia declared their withdrawal from the contest. In contrast, Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT announced that it does not intend to withdraw from the upcoming competition. SVT’s Head of Programming, Michael Österlund, stated: “In order for us to participate, we have said that there should be a sufficiently broad European consensus around the competition. We have also said that it should be as apolitical and as independent as possible. Furthermore, it must take place in a safe environment”. Representatives of the national broadcaster...

“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...

Official: Israel Will Compete in Eurovision 2026!

December 4, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The member states of the EBU have made their decision: Israel will compete in Eurovision 2026! Following a tense vote at the 95th conference of the EBU held this evening in Geneva, with member states in attendance, countries approved the changes to the competition’s regulations and thus opted to forgo a separate vote on Israel’s participation. Consequently, Israel will take part in Eurovision 2026! Delegates from participating countries gathered for the semi-annual conference, where Israel’s eligibility was a central topic. During the session, new policies were approved aiming to “reduce disproportionate governmental and external involvement in the voting process.” Spain, Turkey, Slovenia, and Belgium voiced strong opposition to Israel’s participation and called to block its return to the contest. In contrast, Norway supported the updated regulations introduced by the EBU, while Sweden and the United Kingdom maintained a balanced stance - urging all nations to avoid politicizing Eurovision. Germany, Ukraine, and Greece expressed clear support for Israel during the...