Preview: Israel in Eurovision 2015

In this new rubric at ESC Daily, we will take a look at next years Eurovision Song Contest. What can we expect from each participating country? In today’s preview we will feature the plans in Israel.

What do we know so far?

It is still not 100% sure Israel will join the party in 2015, but it’s looking good for Israel. Their situation can slightly be compared to Greece’s situation last year. Broadcaster IBA will be shut down and replaced by a newly formed state broadcaster in early 2015, with all television and radio stations being replaced on a 1-to-1 basis, but with greatly reduced staff and capital holdings. It would make sense that a new public broadcasting body will get dispensation for Eurovision 2015, since the measures will take place on a short notice before the contest. This is what happened to Greece last year. However, the EBU has not yet been willing to confirm such a construction.

Possible names

Even though the participation of Israel is still unsure, broadcaster IBA is confident they will be in Vienna and has made some plans already. For what it is worth, since it not really only up to them, IBA even confirmed their participation to some Eurovision based fansites. Through the show ‘Hakochav Haba’ – which can be translater as ‘The Next Star’ – artists who claim that they can bring Israel back to the final will take part. So we will get a new, unknown name for Israel next year. One of the people to judge if the artists are capabel enough is Harel Ska’at, the last person to get Israel to the final in 2010.

Chances at Eurovision

In 2011 (Dana International), 2012 (Izabo), 2013 (Moran Mazor) and 2014 (Mei Feingold) all failed to reach the final. Whilst some Eurovision fans already have started to think about a conspiracy against Israel, you’ll have to acknowledge that all four lacked something. Song, presentation, vocal quality, or a combination of all four. If Israel finally sends a act that can tick all boxes, they will reach the final in Vienna.