Local media in Israel are reporting that Michael Ben David, who is set to represent Israel at Eurovision 2022, is considering withdrawing from the song contest.
Michael, who won The X Factor and earned the right to fly the Israeli flag in Turin with his song “I.M”, is considering retiring from Eurovision due to “dissatisfaction with professional conduct”, ynet reports.
Michael Ben David considers withdrawing from Eurovision 2022
The 25-year-old singer originally expressed optimism about representing Israel at Eurovision. However, sources are now claiming he is considering withdrawing from Eurovision, should he be unable to represent his country “with dignity”.
A source close to Michael told ynet: “Michael comes wholeheartedly to the competition, but if he understands that there are policies that deprive him of the right to represent Israel with dignity, he will not go there to despise the flag.”
According to the source, Michael has expressed “dissatisfaction with professional conduct.” The details of this disagreement are unknown, however the source’s comments suggest issues may have arisen surrounding internal politics at broadcaster KAN.
Despite this, Michael is continuing his preparations for Turin.
The source continued: “Michael Ben David is currently working hard to prepare the number for the Eurovision Song Contest and the filming of the official music video, and intends to represent Israel with dignity on the world’s largest singing stage.”
Who is Michael Ben David?
Michael, 25, is an actor, singer and dancer, who has a degree in acting. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, he put his performing arts career on hold and picked up some hours in his local supermarket.
Michael Ben David won The X Factor and earned the right to represent Israrl at Eurovision 2022 with his song “I.M”. He defeated runner-up Eli Choli by just one point.
What do you think? Will Michael Ben David withdraw from Eurovision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Some of the bullying and nasty comments under this post are shocking. What has the man done to you? He’s just going about trying to do his job and to express himself artistically and musically.
Jesus, it’s like the Conchita Wurst bullying all over again except this is 8 years later where you’d expect the world to be a little different.
I hope Michael Ben doesn’t withdraw and stays in just to p*** you all off even more!
I’m sorry, but did RuPaul write this song? Because this is AWFUL. Unoriginal, already seen & heard so many times before.. Even the choreo is predictable..
It’s a bit cringey tbh. (Just my opinion)
He could would probably do good for Azealia Banks Lipsync Battle or smt
I think Michael represented us with great respect. The pressure is on the odds and turn to him. There are good songs this year and what will be won is excellent. ??????
His song/act/stage presence/energy is needed in Torino.
The drama!
Maybe even negative advertising is an advertising ploy.
It’s a big dissapointment, because this song gives me winner vibes 🙁 Reminds me of Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw (in a good way).
Wake up lol wtf
i don’t want him to withdraw, but at the same time i kinda understand where he’s coming from. israel seems to allow little to no artistic freedom to their eurovision representative with this talent show selection method.
I wouldn’t be to bothered as I don’t like the song.
I think the issue might have something to do with his stage presence and what he wants to do on stage. Heels and all that stuff, kind of like Basti in San Marino. Some conservatives politics obviously won’t like it.
This is just what I think it’s happening, but I probably be wrong.
Pretty toxic of you, you never know what he’s been going through with the broadcaster stuff
Not sure who the author is, but this article is completely unintelligible.
The author is stated above its Oliver adams
But what do you mean unintelligible?
It’s poorly structured, it contains no information at all but the same vague phrase is repeated 5 times, and it reads disjointed.
I saw it was written by “Oliver Adams”, I said “Not sure who the author is” as in “Not sure who this O. Adams” is. 🙂
Yeah, I have zero idea what is going on – why is Michael considering withdrawing? Who is he upset with and why?
Hate comments and he feels like his opinion is not considered by the KAN.
And nothing of value will be lost.
The mental health of a human being. Really valuable IMO.
Yeah yeah the song is not the most original, but he is a next-level performer that will easily qualify for the final. He’ll place somewhere around 10-20 in the final.
If he withdraws, I’ll just give up on this year, so many lost talents so far (RIP Alina)… I’d lost once again one of the few songs I “like” for this edition…
Alina has committed a serious crime so it’s only fair for her to be DQ’ed
There’s no actual crime that was committed except violating the rules of a national song competition.
Forgery of documents is a crime in my country…
Oh God not again with this Ukraine-Krimea s#it…
Hey! I have an idea! Let’s bring Kosovo to compete to spice things up even more!
Which she didn’t do but someone else did.
I’m pretty sure it’s just some disagreement blown out of proportion, he’ll go to Turin.
It was just published today that Marvin Dietmann will be the creative director of the Israeli number this year in Turin.
Just because Martin will be the creative director doesn’t mean it’s 100/100 sure that Michael will go
He said he doesn’t like the team he is working with
However if he withdraws Martin may be in charge for another artist
Marvin Dietmann has nothing to do with my assessment that Michael will go to Turin. He has nothing to gain from quitting. He’s probably very frustrated by how things are handled so far and hopes that threatening to quit would scare the people in charge enough to make a decent effort to get things running smoothly.
Good .I hope he does!
…
But chicken in kimono was cool?
It was the coolest <3
My point being, why would Israel have problem with him if they’re happy for Netta?
I won ‘t miss him I don ‘t like his song
I like the song too. I hope it stays in.
Dolly loves the song
Please go, the song is absolutely terrible anyway
He meant “Please stay”
You can’t change his opinion
Please stay! I really like the song, it has potential!!! I’d really like to see the revamp and music video! Also, the performance was great, so I can’t imagine what a Eurovision performance would be like!
I completely forgot about the revamp now I want him to stay
I do care. I hate bullies and toxic fandom, like you.
Pls withdrawn 🙂 You are nice person but song …. call Ira Losco
Just curoisity – what has Ira Losco to do with this issue?
I think he means he needs to change song, like Ira did after winning. (i don’t agree btw so don’t shoot me)
He? If u do not know gender dont write he pls 🙂
Yes i ment Ira – he should change the song – Its embarassing to watch it we are not in 2007 anymore – Hungary 2009 we already had …
OK understood what you meant cause I was not sure how Ira Losco came into this context. However I believe his issue is not with the song itself.
Bit if he will has withdraw, will Eli Huli go to the ESC? Yes, please
I really hope he changes his mind and he embraces Eurovision full heartedly. He has a lot of fans (myself included) and he will get many more if he goes to Torino. His song is unique and we need an unabashedly gay act on the Eurovision stage this year. Do not withdraw please!
Why do we need an unabashedly gay act on the Eurovision stage this year?
Like we get about 5 every year…
We’ve never had one. Not one that has ever used pronouns, not one that ever sang a love duet – but we’ve had plenty of heteros do it.
I’m not fluent in italian, but isn’t brividi a love duet? it certainly came off that way, at least to me.
No, it’s not. It’s two people singing about the same thing, but not to each other or about each other. Mahmood comes the closest to using pronouns, though – he is singing to a man. Blanco is not.
Exactly. “Brividi” is purposely ambiguous. Hence, its broad appeal and success. Mahmood also vhas a duet with San Remo rival and runner-up, Elisa. It’s on his second album. It’s called “Rubini” and I like it even more than the bike with diamonds. Italian artists love duets!
Twat
Name 5 gay acts from last year
And I don’t mean the performers being gay .I mean the whole act being gay
Go ahead name 5 acts from last year
Off topic: Montenegro will release their song on March 4th
It looks promising; I’d be surprised to find Montenegro is one of the countries saving this year’s ESC.
I hope it turns out to be good. Montenegro has taken three years off, let’s hope it will be worth it.
I think the only grand thing about Eurovision this year will be the stage. Lots of boring songs chosen so far!
With all those NF, with lots of great songs, I thought it will be a good édition this year, like 2016 or 2019. But day by day I feel like you 🙁
This is really desperating
Same – my last time to watch NF y’ll
The stage itself is pretty bad itself. By that, I mean unpractical.
I read the article in Hebrew. With all due respect, the wiwi author of this article misunderstood completely. “the source’s comments suggest issues may have arisen surrounding Israeli politics.” No. The Hebrew said “politikot” – politics, as a common Israeli expression about pride issues between decision-makers, probably within Kan. It has nothing to do with Israeli politics. One commenter said “he really didn’t know there are always politikot?” And someone replied “remember that he’s pretty young.” My guess is that he’s for the first time exposed to how power struggles between executives stake out his destiny, and he’s not happy… Read more »
That makes a lot more sense; thank you for this!
I highly doubt it’s due to politics, or else Michael wouldn’t have competed in the first place, unless they mean the politics of the broadcaster.
Oh Israel, pls stop being Ukraine.
These are unverified reports though. Compared to Ukraine where we are Gettysburg ng information straight from the sources themselves.
*we are getting…
Auto-correct strikes anew.
It’s a rough patch but I hope things can work out. I don’t want another artist withdrawal after Ukraine.
Good one
Well that’s vague. Thinking of withdrawing? Either go to Eurovision or do not go. There is no thinking about it. As for issues of dignity… teamwork matters. On the other hand, ask a certain band from Iceland if they represented their flag with dignity in 2019? 😀
Bullying works! 😀
you’re a disgrace.
Why? Because he sings a song you hate? Go outside and touch some grass.
Oh, what an achievement!!! smh
Smart decision to avoid the shame of being dead last ?
will see about it, michael will finish top 10 mark my words
It’s funny that a 25yo guy that worked in a super market before the X factor, is now demanding creative freedom as if he’s Beyonce. Netta hated Toy, hated to tears, she said that many times. This delegation proved that it knows a thing or two about Eurovision, I don’t get why an unexperienced performer like Michael feels like he’s in some way more professional that people who won the contest not long ago.
Well the song itself is also quite a statement. I can understand not feeling 100% comfortable bringing that song when that’s not your personality. Also they are hit or miss. Kobi marimi had potential but home was going nowhere.
When a person goes to a competition like this, especially not an established artist, he should accept that things might not be 100% as he dreamed of. It’s still a great opportunity. He should have a talk with May Finegold or Moran Mazor, to see what a poor ESC delegation truly feels like. The Israeli delegation is in much better shape now, even if it’s not “perfect”.
he doesnt want to be eden elena that had bad staging. he has a vision for the number and wants to do it in his own way, at the end he is the one that needs to stand behind his number. if the producers wont corporates with his vision and prevent things that he wants, im with him. i trust his instincts
Every gay person in the world has a vision about every ESC entry ever. It’s irrelevant. It’s not his bar mitzvah, he can’t demand whatever he wants like a brat.
Metumtemet, lechi habaita.
It’s not “according to me” it’s according to facts. What exactly is his big stage experience outside X factor? “The right to speak up” is nice and all but in the end of the day it’s work. You don’t get to tell much more experienced people at your work place how to do their job, right? It will probably not work well. Here it’s the same thing. If Netta would get to sing whatever she wants she would probably not win. She understood that this whole Eurovision thing is bigger than ones person ego or artistic aspirations. It’s time for… Read more »
I see a few issues arising…
He could have been targeted or asked not to discuss gender/sexuality and the LGBTQIAA+ community has huge history of repression being a problem with media.
Or maybe from a music standpoint, he could have been shut out of the revamp process despite being promised to have a say.
Or lastly, he could have been treated horribly due to the delegation wanting a different winner and so are behaving unprofessional.
All are speculation but all are valid reasons to be dissatisfied and wanting to withdraw!
I doubt the first one is true. Israel gave us Dana International singing “Just the way you are” as an interval act only three years ago. The whole thing was so gay it drove Hungary out of the contest.
Hungary sent a stripper in 2016.
I doubt it very much if LGBTQI+ is the issue here considering most of Israel’s previous entries, including one of their previous winners is of the community.
When they hosted in 2019 they made it abundantly clear numerous times how friendly Tel Aviv and Israel was to the community.
Assi Azar who hosted in 2019 is also openly gay and married.
Very much doubt the issue was lgbt+ related.
Excactly
If it was Russia for example that would be an issue but Israel is gay friendly
He knows his song is not popular at this moment and he needs this drama to get some protagonism. Reminds me about something similar about Hovi Star at Moscow’s Airport.
Hopefully LPS are the next ones to withdraw
Hahahah jajajajaj – same for Lithuanian gurlll or Maltease or Bulgaria
Come on, keep your poor music taste to yourself. Lithuania? Monika slays
I am young not 65 – do not like Lithunia at all and Its my opinion same like u have. So pls do not call my music taste poor – cause the song is not going to prevail Spotify at all … It is like it is – I do not like also Malta, Bulgaria, Latvia, N Macedonia, Slovenia, Israel and if Sweden send Anders – Sweden too 🙂 Like what do u expect? Everyone will like her song? Oh pls … grow up and move on gurl
Just because they have songs that you don’t like it doesn’t mean that they will withdraw in favour of haters
Withdrawal was in a joke moode – do not need to be sensitive …
I am pissing myself laughing!!! ??????
sorry, didnt get your point…politics makes you happy? well, ok…
Eli Huli – Blinded Dreamers for IL’22 ??
weird…Why these ambiguous justifications: because of the Israeli Eurovision delegation or Israel politics?
It has to be the delegation because it’s not like the Israeli government suddenly changed. If Michael had a political issue he wouldn’t have entered the selection in the first place.
Drama queen…No surprise
This is nothing surprising. We could see last year that the artist is asked absolutely nothing and is just served the song and staging concept. They’re literally treated like a doll. I actually thought that he loves this song, he really seemed to enjoy it, but perhaps he realised it’s really bad or myb he always hated it. They should give him totally different song. There is still time.
its not the case, its about the production of the video clip and staging. he wants it to be in his way, which is excellent. artist without a vision is a none artist
Until there is concrete evidence that he’s pulling out of the Israeli delegation, I will just call this the media whipping up a storm, publicity and perhaps public support considering he wasn’t many people’s first choice.
The article just seems too vague for it to be something serious.
Perhaps something could be happening behind the scenes or whatever but at the moment I’m going to be sceptical about this.
I said it before and I’ll say it again: Israel just has to go back to a plain old national final where artists, established or not, all come in with the songs they intend to compete at Eurovision with. Don’t do this mix-and-match approach or do a gigantic marathon reality show just for the artist. I love Israel at Eurovision, but I think making the process less complicated will lead to fewer issues of this nature, where an artist feels funky about the actual creative process.
Really, here’s what they should do: insulting though it might sound to a country that’s been in the contest many years longer than the other (though it shouldn’t), they should take San Marino’s lead in terms of selecting candidates. Have an open call for up-and-coming Israeli artists. They audition with the songs they want to compete at Eurovision with. Maybe this could even be broadcast! Do this in a couple of rounds to pick the 10 best. THEN, put them in a final with 10 established Israeli artists! Gives everyone a chance. The established artists don’t have to bother going… Read more »
Bring back KDAM, make it about the songwriters again.
In all fairness I’d consider withdrawing too if the broadcaster handed me that song.
It’s hard to know what I think when I have no idea what this is about.
oh god so the article says nothing other than he might consider withdrawing for reasons we don’t know??? what’s his problem exactly? the Israeli Eurovision team or Israeli politics??
He’s a bit of a drama queen no?
If he wants to withdraw he better do it now so that he allows time for other acts to be selected before the deadline.
He is such a drama queen
You know he issss
I love him and his song isn’t as bad as people say. Let’s hope everything will work for him. I don’t want any other song to withdraw. Especially the songs that are actually interesting and add some spice to the contest.
This is how Inbal can still go to turin:
If he actually withdraws I think she should go she was my winner anyway