It has been reported that the latest season of HaKokhav HaBa, which will be used to select Israel’s Eurovision 2024 representative will not air the first show tonight.
Episode will not air due to current events
Keshet 12, the broadcaster responsible for the show has mentioned that it will not be airing the show tonight following the death of two Israeli soldiers, and have issued the following statement:
“In light of the news that has now been allowed to be published, HaKokhav HaBa will not be broadcast tonight. Our hearts go out to the families”
In the lead-up to the airing of the show the broadcaster has been critcised by local media for its plans to airing the show, in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.
Filming for the show was set to begin a few weeks back, but was delayed, due to the ongoing situation in Israel. With the filming for the show just resuming recently, and with it comes changes, as there is no audience, a focus group would then be used to determine 40% of the result.
The judging panel for the upcoming season of HaKokhav HaBa are Asaf Amdursky, Itay Levy, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Ran Danker and Eden Hason, with Assi Azzar and Rotem Sela hosting the show.
Israel’s Eurovision journey
Israel has a long and wealthy history in the Eurovision Song Contest, making their debut in 1973 with Ilanit and “Ey Sham”. Their first entry scored 97 points, placing 4th. Israel has since gone on to win the Contest on four separate occasions – in 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2018.
Noa Kirel represented Israel in Liverpool during the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song “Unicorn”. Performing at the first semi-final, Israel qualified for the final in 3rd place. In the final itself, Noa finished in 3rd place with a total of 362 points – 177 points from the jury and 185 from the televote.
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News Source: KIPA
Photo Credit: Keshet 12
