After Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam was cancelled because of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Eurovision fans wondered which countries would keep their artists for 2021.

Several have already declared their intention to stick with their 2020 acts, and on Sunday Israel became the latest to do so. Eden Alene will represent the country at Eurovision 2021.

Eden Alene won through Next Star for Eurovision, an artist selection organised by Keshet. However, KAN is in charge of the artist selection going forward and it has opted for Eden.

Eden Alene to represent Israel at Eurovision 2021

The EBU announced the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 on Wednesday 18 March. A tearful Eden Alene responded to the sad news live on Israeli TV.

She said: “Now it’s real. It’s depressing. I can’t believe how much it hurts inside. But it’s okay. I didn’t [talk to my mother] yet. I didn’t have the time. Like, it just happened. But no, it’s ok, I’ll talk to her. I’ll talk to my boyfriend. It will be ok.” She expressed her wish to get support from her boyfriend, about whom Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel wrote her 2020 song “Feker Libi”.

Rumours flew around online that KAN would not select Eden for Eurovision 2021. However, the speculation has proven to be unfounded. It seems the gossip mongers had based the claim upon the fact that KAN confirmed provisional participation but didn’t confirm the artist.

On Sunday, Walla officially confirmed that KAN has reselected Eden Alene to fly the Star of David in 2021. KAN later confirmed this with a tweet.

Reacting to the news, Alene said on Israeli TV: “I’ll cry once more. We’re going to win [Eurovision 2021] and the song will be better”. As per Friday’s news, Israel will not be able to send “Feker Libi” to Eurovision 2021. However, now with more time to prepare, Israel’s representative seems confident.

The song selection method is currently unknown. We expect that KAN will provide more news in the coming weeks.

What do you think of the decision to reselect Eden? Do you think her song will be better than “Feker Libi”? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Follow all of our Israel Eurovision 2021 news.

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Dan
Dan
4 years ago

Thank you KAN. I know it wasnt easy for KAN, since next year was the first time they could have made otheir own show and produce their own version of “The Next Star” (Until now it was another channel – 12). Considering being relatively new in the industry (but really really good despite that) and already have an ESC debt (2018 TLV SHOW) in their back-mind, the high rating from the show is big and important money for KAN. However, the honorable and right thing to do, is give EDEN her chance again. So Im happy money interests didnt destroy… Read more »

Chromium
Chromium
4 years ago

KAN really likes making her cry on live TV, eh? 😀 Anyway, happy for this decision. Great vocalist and performer. Hope she gets an even better song for next year. 🙂

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago

Her vocals and charisma are out of this world, she elevated all songs in the national final, she definitely deserves to represent them

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Pfft. What else was KAN going to do? Girl is a STAR.

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

They had intended to have a big NF in 2021 at first.

Grafton
Grafton
4 years ago

She’s a potential winner if she has a good song. I just wish she was from another country but hey…

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Grafton

And I get it you didn’t watch ESC2019 as it was in “that” country?? HYPOCRITE.

EitanIL
EitanIL
4 years ago
Reply to  Grafton

i wish you were from another planet… our planet doesn’t need people like you… but hey…

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

I really hope for another song with Amharic lyrics. 2020 could’ve been the very first appearance of this language on ESC stage. Make this happen in 2021!

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago

Great news! She’s a potential winner with the right song.

Gabriel
Gabriel
4 years ago

Very sad to hear this

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Gabriel

Explain….

Gabriel
Gabriel
4 years ago
Reply to  srulik

Ignorant

esc1966
esc1966
4 years ago

I have another question: Do you think that the semi finals would get another allocation draw?

Sal
Sal
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1966

Depends if there are any withdrawing or returning countries, I guess

Duncan
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1966

There wouldn’t be any reason to keep this draw. It’s a new year.

Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1966

I think there will be since they’re treating it as a completely different edition.

Nitzan
Nitzan
4 years ago

Such good news, I’m so happy Kan decided to continue with her, she deserves this. She had the best response to this as well.
I feel like here in Israel there’s a consensus that she should continue to 2021

srulik
srulik
4 years ago

Im really happy, she deserves it, she will do a great job and i just wish her song will be written and produced be Doron Madali and Idan Raichel who created Feker Libi.

Josh R
Josh R
4 years ago

Terrific news!

EuroSluuuuuutty
EuroSluuuuuutty
4 years ago

I really liked the Arabic part in her song, not sure if they’ll do something like that again in 2021 😐

Frisian esc
4 years ago

Amharic 😉 or you meant that line when she says habib albi

Ken
Ken
4 years ago

IM SO HAPPPPPPY

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

omg LEGEND… i need her 2021 song to be as flawless as “feker libi”, so she can be my #1 again.

Erasmus
Erasmus
4 years ago

Love her! I can cross her out of my list.
Remaining wishes: Roxen, Destiny, the Roop, Montaigne, Ben Dolic, Little Big, Benny Cristio, Athena, Alicja and Hurricane.
I’d also want Elisa, Ben&Tan and Ulrikke, but I doubt they’ll send them

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

So basically you want the entire 2020 lineup…. ME TOO!!

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  srulik

I’m with you too 😉
We’re not talking here about disposable products, we’re talking about people who rightfully deserved their chance.
We will not have usual rules due to exceptional circumstances and decision is at discretion of broadcasters, but I hope that many of them will stand by their artists.

...
...
4 years ago

Great news! Love her voice and her stage presence!

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

Yes!!! <3

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Welcome back, Eden! She is very talented. 🙂

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
4 years ago

Yay, welcome back Eden.

Thanos
Thanos
4 years ago

So happy for her, it broke my heart when she was crying hearing the announcement of the cancellation (she wasn’t far from my reaction to the news). Feker Libi was really a guilty pleasure that grew on me a lot, so I am expecting another ethnic inspired song from her!!!

Sal
Sal
4 years ago

I’m so happy, she was the artists along with The Roop that I wanted to see back the most. But Feker Libi was my favourite and I’m so so sad we won’t get to see it on the big Eurovision stage/screen :'(

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

😀 😀

Harm
Harm
4 years ago

That’s great and she deserves it. ??????

Harm
Harm
4 years ago
Reply to  Harm

The question marks should be the Dutch flag hahaha.

Fefe
Fefe
4 years ago
Reply to  Harm

What do you mean by “??????” Are you asking a question?

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Fefe

Harm already explained