Israel: The quest for Eurovision 2019 act begins on November 24
The TV talent show of HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion , the Israeli version of The Rising Star, is set to kick off on November 24 , starting the host country’s quest for its next Eurovision representative.
HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion
HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion is used the latest year by the Israeli national broadcaster as the mechanism to select the country’s Eurovision acts. For once again the national selection process to find Netta’s successor will stick to previous years’ format and will kick of on November 24. During the auditions’ round the performing acts should receive a total of 70% out of the maximum voting coming from the public and a jury, in order to pass to the next round.
This year’s judges that will form the jury are:
- Assaf Amdursky
- Harel Skaat – (Eurovision 2010)
- Keren Peles
- Shiri Maimon – (Eurovision 2005)
- Static & Ben El Tavori
The Changes
Although the broadcaster is sticking to previous national selection format, however some changes have been introduced to the show. In this year’s edition the selection of the song that we’ll see in Eurovison will be also part of the show. The broadcaster will hold 3 additional shows in order to seek for the next Eurovision entry.
Also the broadcaster will hold a special spin off show to select one act that will qualify directly to the final of HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion. This will be the first time that Reshet 12 and KAN will be both holding a show to determine the next Eurovision act.
THE EUROVISION STORY SO FAR
Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 40 times since making its debut in 1973. Israel’s first appearance at the contest in 1973 was successful, with Ilanit finishing fourth. Israel has achieved 4 victories, in 1978 and 1979, with first two wins for Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, with the song “A-Ba-Ni-Bi”and Gali Atari and Milk and Honey, with “Hallelujah” . Its third victory came in 1998, with Dana International and “Diva” and its fourth this year with Netta’s song Toy. The country’s best results apart from its victories were the second-place finishes for Avi Toledano in 1982 and Ofra Haza in 1983. Former winner Izhar Cohen returned to place fifth in 1985. Duo Datz finished third in 1991, while Eden finished fifth in 1999. Israel has hosted the contest twice, in 1979 and 1999, both times in Jerusalem.
After the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Israel has failed to reach the final six times. In 2014, the country failed to qualify for the fourth consecutive year, when Mei Feingold finished 14th (out of 15) in the second semi final, despite being one of the favorites to qualify. In 2015, Israel reached the final for the first time in five years, with Nadav Guedj finishing ninth. The only Israeli entrant to achieve a better result in the 21st century before their 2018 win was Shiri Maimon in 2005, who gave the country its tenth top five result in the contest, finishing fourth
Lets remember Shiri’s beautiful perfromance back in 2005 :
