HaKokhav HaBa — Israel’s national selection for Eurovision 2024 — will start airing on the network Keshet 12 on Tuesday, 31 October.
Known to us abroad as “Rising Star” or “The Next Star for Eurovision 2024,” the show was originally set to be filmed three weeks ago. But when Hamas launched its attacks on Israel on 7 October, everything came to a pause — and updates are only now forthcoming.
As Euromix reports, filming started last week and the programme will start airing on 31 October — but only if the security situation allows for it.
The show has been tweaked in several ways. Rather than having an audience present in the auditions, hitting buttons when they like an act, a focus group was used to determine 40% of the score.
This year’s judging panel consists of: Asaf Amdursky, Itay Levy, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Ran Danker and Eden Hason.
Staging a show during the current war has raised eyebrows at home and abroad. Some people say now is not the time to be celebrating anything. Yet others point out that Eurovision was founded to bring countries together.
Keshet 12 has billed the show as a way to give the public a chance to focus on something else, if only for a moment. As Euromix explains, the hosts Assi Azzar and Rotem Sela appeared in an advert saying the following.
“After many weeks…we feel that the time has come to take a breath and take solace in something a little different. There is no doubt that of all the things in the world, music is the simplest and deepest way to connect and cheer us up, which is why we decided to progress the opening of the season of The Next Star for Eurovision.”
“This will not be a normal season opener. It will be adapted to the situation, but we are sure that a little music can only help. The Next Star for Eurovision begins the journey with small steps, at the end of which we will have an Israeli representative who will show the whole world who we are.”
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Arabs in Europe support and CELEBRATE the killing of Jews and you all are singing along with them. There is a word for that that starts with a N. I guess Europeans don’t ever really change.
What is this comparison with Russia? Do any of you have any brain? Were 1400 Russians murdered by Ukrainians one Saturday morning? Were 230 Russians kidnapped into Ukraine? Like how do you actually compare the 2 situations? I seriously ask you.
Are you silly or what? Putin bombed the buildings where civilians live just like what Netanyahu is doing now. Both are breaking international law.
“Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues. @UNRWA warns about the desperate situation of Gaza people without electricity, food, water. Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law.” said high representative of EU for foreign affairs on his X account.
Under the circumstances i think Israel should go for internal selection and song for 2024.
Queer rights is human rights. Free Palestine from apartheid.
This situation reminds me of 2018 when Israel won and was given hosting rights. Many organisation pro Palestine were making campaigns to prevent countries from participating in Tel Aviv and asking artists to withdraw their entries. Nothing happened in the end.
Except hatari.
And Madonna (even though she was an interval act instead of a participant).
Those gutless wannabes had to wait until AFTER the voting was over to make a statement. As Pauly said, nothing happened!
I think they will opt for a ballad. It would be bizarre to go for a pop banger given the current circumstances. But then again there’s a long time until they pick a singer and record the song. Israel will not win, there is not much sympathy for Israel after what is happening in gaza. I do understand that voting is positive so yeah if Israelis and Jewish communities coordinate a massive vote for Israel, they could end up high in televoting but I still don’t think it will be enough for a victory like Ukraine. It also depends on… Read more »
As much as I support Israel in its fight against Hamas, I hope that’s not the clue for the victory to be served on the dish. It would ultimately kill the contest for good with three victories in less than 10 years due to sympathy votes of war (Jamala and Kalush Orchestra being the other two). It was interesting that, up until the most recent Hamas actions, I supported the idea of Israel and Palestine finding a diplomatic approach to the never-ending war in the Middle East. Now, however, I think Israel has to eliminate Hamas and Palestine from the… Read more »
We don’t know how long this war will last by the time May 2024 comes around, whether it ends by then or continues. To be honest, regardless of what the odds say at this time (which I don’t think we should be checking at this time since we still don’t have the official list of participants yet), I don’t see Israel winning next year because the public animosity against the country is too strong. There are eurofans right now who are calling for Israel to be banned from Eurovision like Russia and I could see a scenario where the Israeli… Read more »
You’re risking to be downvoted with your last sentence. Hamas should be taken down, but i don’t agree with taking the whole Palestinian populace with it, as pro-Israeli people as I am.
may the region find peace and prosperity as soon as possible. i’m looking forward to this show.
It Is Sick That Western Nations Only Care If Wictims Are White People .
Jews are not just a white people. We come in different colors and shades.
If Israel Competes Russia Must Be Inwited Back . They Are Both Agresive Nations But Only One Of Them Wants To End A Whole Group Of People And Begin Religous War . Hint Its Not Rusia
At least Belarus. If we’ll have countries currently at war participating at least that we have 42 or 43 participants like before.
Russia cannot be invited back. They attacked an EBU member Ukraine and broke rules by using the national broadcaster as a propaganda machine. Also, none of the Eurovision participating countries want them back.
So, Azerbaijan and Turkey does the same against Armenia, Cyprus, Israel and Greece and they haen’t got suspended yet!
If only there was a reason for Israel to be aggressive, right? They just started bombing Gaza for absolutely NO reason. Like, did anyone did anything to them on the 7th of October? Seems like people don’t recall that. That’s very convenient to have such a selective memory and then to put the on whoever you want.
You’re so misinformed that it’s hard to read. Israel is a tiny democratic country surrounded by enemies on all sides and threatened by ISIS-like terror groups Hamas, Jihad, Hizballah and several others – all backed by Iran, all have clear goal to eliminate the Jews and the Jewish state in the name of Islam. The Palestinians as a whole support that violent strategy. Go ask them and see what they tell you – historically they rejected time and a time again any peace or compromise that have been offered to them. They teach their children to hate Jews and glorify… Read more »
If Enu Is Legitamite Organation Then Israel Must Be Permently Banned Because I Dont Want To Watch Israel Performer Anymore Every Year Who Takes Break From IDF And Kiling Inocents to PinkWash And Cry About Opresion On The ESC
Israel should be banned next year…
well, you should be banned from posting stupid posts
As much as I adore Israel at Eurovision and the amount of effort they put into the contest in comparison to other countries, they shouldn’t participate in May. The EBU took a firm stance with Russia, and if they still hold the same values, Israel should be banned.
I won’t support Israel in May, or in any future Eurovision contest, and I hope Eurofans educate themselves on the confl*ct and do the same.
I kind of agree but also, Hamas ? Palestine
Completely tone deaf. How the hell are you comparing Russia to Israel? If anything, you should compare Israel to Ukraine.
I was against banning Russia, and whichever country, for any political reason. However, I do defend that if the EBU were just a tiny bit coherent, Israel would be out now. But of course not. Even if different countries threatened to withdraw, like what happened with Russia, they would surely keep them in. Absolute hypocrisy
Did israel initiate this attack?
Yes!! Since 1950s when they occupied and oppressed Palestin-!!!!
Didn’t the UK cause the war between Israel and Palestine?
Iranian backed Hamas attacked Israel, so if Iran were to enter they would be banned.
Ukraine and Israel were attacked, they are defending themselves, so allowed to compete.
Simples
Iranian backed Ham ass attacked Israel, so if Iran were to enter they would be banned.
Ukraine and Israel were attacked, they are defending themselves, so allowed to compete.
So If You Abuse Animals And Leave Traped In A Cage For Years And Years And They Finally Bite You , Is The Animal The Agresor Or Is It You .
Absolutely
If EBU did it thousands of Israeli nationalists would appear in comments calling EBU antisemitic
typical chronically online person who doesn’t understand nuance. what russia did to ukraine was an unprovoked attack. what israel did was defend itself from a vile attack from a “country” whose government is internationally recognized terr0r organization.
I’m sorry, but killing over 7000 innocent people, targeting hospitals and not letting humanitarian aid come through into Palestine is, I would say, quite disproportionate and much more than simply “defend itself”. I do condemn the terrorism, yes, but use it as an excuse to carry such actions is atrocious
It’s different though. Israel did not bomb an EBU member. It’s as if saying the UK should have been banned in 2003 for bombing Iraq.Hint: it wasn’t. The situation in the Middle East has been going on for ages so it is hypocritical to say Israel should be banned now. They’re still participating in EURO football matches so why the obsession with Eurovision? Last but not least, Azerbaijan annexed Artsakh, yet they’re still participating. my opinion is that Israel should participate whether we like it or not because they did not break any rules (any official rules anyway, I know… Read more »
Too many people can’t see the difference between Russia and Israel.
Heck, Ukraine themselves support Israel, how can you keep comparing Israel to Russia?
Russia went in just to take land.
Israel will go in to destroy a terror organization after it’s attack on civilians on October 7th, and that’s it, we’re back out.
Educate yourselves, learn the differences.
Even better – come visit Israel and see how Jews and Arabs from several religions coexist here peacefully.
Don’t stay in your bubble, come see the truth.
But how many international laws have Israel broken? How come Palestinians only own 7% of their own territory? Why is your country so obsessed with building settlements in territories that never legaly belonged to it in the first place? Was the 27 % Israel got handed in 1948 not enough?
7% of Palestinian territory? What territory are you talking about? There has never been a independent Palestinian state on which basis you could claim this %. For centuries, this area has been part of Ottoman Empire, then under the British rule. If you are talking about Mandatory Palestine under British rule, then you are following the many times disproved misinformation that all the land that was not Jewish-owned was automatically Palestinian or Arab owned. Most of the land in Mandatory Palestine was government owned, so it was neither Jewish nor Palestinian. Not to mention large part of it is uninhabitated… Read more »
To protect themself? They invaded, occupied and oppressed Pal-stine since 1950s. What are you talking about? They have been fighting in Pal-stine for years and years, m_rdering people. H-mas are product of Israel’s long oppression and their actions. What do you expect? At some point people will start defending themselves.
simply put, Ukraine supports Israel cuz USA
Oh and btw. In wiwiblogs some countries starting with P cannot be written. The word is banned. Anyway that country should be part of the EBU because of how we historically treated this country since the 1940s
only countries that exist are allowed in the comments 🙂
Israeli government said the war has just begun. Their invasion just started. Since when is an invasion defence?
No, this year they cannot participate. Maybe if they stop the war it would work. But right now it’s not possible same as for Russia.
Can you give a different solution on how to deal with a terror organization?
With words? Hugs? Gifts?
When the war is over, Palestinians in Gaza will have a different regime, one that seeks peace.
just taking back territories that were theirs to begin with (they gained sinai and gaza back in the 60s by winning a war they hadn’t even started… and then gave sinai back to egypt in exchange for positive diplomatic relations). you don’t attack a country and then cry when you lose. that’s how wars work.
with all do respect, Russia and Azerbaijan invaded Ukraine and Armenia without any aggressive acts from these 2 countries. While Israel has declared war on Hamas after the terrible terror attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, killing, raping, beheading, abusing and kidnapping 2000 thousands Israeli civilians. What would your country do if it happens at your doorstep? Israel cannot exist if it hadn’t gone to war against Hamas. Are you dear European friends ready to welcome millions of Israeli refugees in Europe? I don’t think so, even though half of the Israeli population hold EU passports. It’s easier criticising Israel… Read more »
The double standard of gays when it comes to politics
Pinkwashing works wonders for Israel. Just look at how many gay Westerners flock to Tel Aviv for pride every summer.
what’s funnier to me is seeing online gays defend a place run by an islamic terr0r organization that wants them wiped off the face of earth and whose entire ideology goes against their beliefs. have some self respect lmao.
Did the IRA represent the entirety of Ireland? Did the ETA represent the entirety of the Basque Country? No, and Ham*s doesn’t represent the Palestinian people.
When oppression occurs, extremism happens. We cannot pick and choose who to support based on Western values. These online gays are supporting oppressed people who wish for freedom from aparthe*d and colonialism, nothing else.
will it have any money left for this after all the bombing in Gaza ?
What privilege Israel has invading Palestin- that Russia didn’t have when they invaded Ukraine? Russia got cancelled out immediately and Israel is not even being talked about. They need to be kicked out.
So tell me. What should israel have done when palestine attacked? Let them do their thing because the gays on wiwibloggs believe israel shouldn’t exist?
Israel occupied Pal-stine almost a decade ago. Let’s talk facts. Not just occupied but also oppressed, stole land, and fought! Israel has been doing very nasty things for years and years. This is a response. What do you think? At some point people will defend themselves.
And how many times has a two state solution been rejected or do you thinks jews should just be wiped out completely to.. Some other country where they will face anti semitusm and the world wants them gone?
You know they failed in the defense, leaving the gaza border unprotected and ignored all warnings!
If israel doesn’t get banned i’m gonna be pissed. Same with Azerbaijan. If israel do end up participating im hoping for a lot of booing in Sweden due to the large support of palestine there. All im seeing is double standards
I’m more worried of possible demonstrations in Malmo during Eurovision week and Arabs spamming the comment section of every single ESC post on social media. There are lots of Arabs who live in Malmo and the security risk of Israeli delegation would be very high.
And they would be justified. Maybe the israeli delegation will get a small taste of what Arabs and pales-inians have been objected to for several decades
You do realise it is a song contest and should nòt involve politics?
‘Should not involve politics’ bruh people are dying??? At this point its not a question abt politics and more about the fact that israel is literally committing war crimes. A country like this should not be welcomed in ANY entertainment event at all.
Breaking news official list based on new criteria by general public that Israel is removed from the contest along with Russia
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
Georgia
Ireland
Kosovo
Liechtenstein
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
San Marino
Serbia
Sweden (membership subject to ratification)
Switzerland
Ukraine
Vatican City
Soo exciting, keep politics in eurovision
We use the same principles then we should ban all NATO members and just have a select few competing
If Russia and Belarus were banned why not Israel or Azerbaijan for that matter?
Double standards…
In addition to Russia, I firmly believe that all other warring nations or nations with current political problems should not be allowed to participate. I believe that Israel should eventually not be allowed to participate until the Hamas situation is cleared up. However, more pressingly, I firmly believe Azerbaijan should be banned. The world turned a blind eye when 300,000 people had to flee their homes from the Artsakh region and Armenia has been treated extremely unfairly, barely given any coverage.
Artsakh is legally part of Azerbaijan and the Armenians must adapt to Azerbaijani rule, same with Russians in the Donbass and Crimea, and Albanians in Serbia, not seeking indepedence and separatism!
I’m expexting some national broadcasters to make a move and put pressure on UER to ban Israel like it was done for Russia. The first one I can think of is Iceland.
I’m always sad when we lose countries in the contest but we can’t accept this double standard anymore. Israel is causing way too much troubles here.
Whatever, if Israel still goes to ESC I don’t care if they have a great song. They won’t have my vote anymore…
Agreed.
Really? What countries?
Israel has always had 100% support by all Western countries, including Europe. I doubt any country will pressure organisations.
Israel used to have 100% support from all Western countries, but now the tides are changing.
Look at the pro-P*lestinian protests all around Europe. The European people stand with P*lestine, but their governments don’t. I expect the broadcasters of Ireland, Iceland and the Scandi countries to issue a statement on banning Israel from Eurovision.
EBU should either allow Russia back or kick out both Israel and Azerbaijan. Enough with hypocrisy and double standards.
How kick Azerbaijan when they just recover their land?
ebu better get that anti-boo technology ready, cuz it will be needed
are people this “pressed” to even discuss politics here? I think twitter (or X) is the place for you. hiding behind an avatar is not courage.
anyway, I believe the episodes are already recorded (as in every previous edition), so it’s a matter of when they’ll air them.
Two more analytical comments of mine are awaiting for approval (thought that would happen actually). What I want to say in short is that both Israel and Azerbaijan deserve to be banned from the contest due to their recent actions since the same thing applied to Russia. If they are not, we are talking about double standards here.
Agreed. Not banning Israel at this time is INSANE dounle standards.
Apart from the fact that USA supports Israel, I don’t see any difference in what Pu*in is doing and what is PM of Israel doing. Both are breaking international law and for Israel even high representative of EU for foreign affairs admitted that. They’re delusional if they think that they can do Ukraine 2022, quite opposite if they will compete.
USA can’t dictate their International rules to any country, they aren’t the Owners of the World or the World FBI. That job belongs to UN which unfortunatelly got biassed with UNSC veto of all their 5 permanent members.
I am generally against bans, cancel culture and in favour of free speech in a period when censorship is prevalent throughout the globe. I also like to believe that people are better than their governments (though this is getting hard to believe nowadays) . This is why I was never in favour of banning Russia, or any country from ESC, no matter their crimes and I constantly advocate in favour of more countries joining Eurovision. But since we all came to the conclusion that Russia has to be banned due to the invasion of Ukraine, it is more than fair… Read more »
Couldn’t agree with you more here. Especially want Azerbaijan should be gone since what they did to Armenia was horrrific.
Horrific? Azerbaijan like Ukraine have every right to recover their International recognized border and dictate their minorities what rules have to follow under their control! If not the Armenians must go back to their country or join in the large and powerful Armenian diaspora.
Wwll you guys are 50 years too late with banning israel in that case. It’s not like the war started this month and it’s not like there isn’t a specific reason crap is hitting the fan this specific time don’t you think? There are two parties in this war and BOTH sides are unwilling to work to a two state solution.
I am sorry but nothing justifies what they are doing right now. So no, there’s no specific reason for committing war crimes and for gradually kicking people out of their lands. Or was it perhaps justified when Russia chose to invade because of the bad treatment of the Russian minority by Ukraine and NATO’s expansionism? I don’t think so. And I do agree with you that they have been committing these crimes for almost 80 years now, so if you want the truth, I would have banned them earlier.
Sir this is no war it is an ethntic cleansing. Why a two state solution when the pal-stinian country was stolen by israel? Also, even if they are late, people are finally seeing the truth, better late than never
“ethnic cleansing” yeah man, Filastin had 1M people in 1960, while it has 5-6M people nowadays
I can already hear the massive booing Israel will receive in Malmo 2024.
And I hope we don’t have to hear any Eurofans saying ”the artist doesn’t deserve the booing”.
The crowds aren’t booing the artist, they’re booing the country.
But the artist is representing the country and they could take the booing personally.
Belarus was kicked out for breaking the rules. Russia was kicked out for an illegal invasion. Israel, on the other hand, is more complicated. While some are concerned about reports of civilian suffering in Gaza, Israel has widespread international support to “defend itself”. While this is the case, Israel aren’t going anywhere. Not saying this right, nor wrong. It’s just how it is.
What about Azerbaijan?
Belarus was also suspended for supporting Russia in the war.
But yes, there are double standards.
Glad to see Israel trying to find some light in all this darkness. I always look forward to this show
The nerve y’all have so casually reporting Israel, shame on you
It’s eurovision news. What did you expect? A political analysis.
They’re just stating facts — the show is taking place. It’s going to be the most talked-about issue of Eurovision 2024 if Israel goes, so it is relevant. Anyway, this is not exactly an incendiary or provocative post in any direction? Sort of like how every newspaper reports on Israel daily at the moment?
I wonder if this will cause Israel to win?
or The opposite, getting zero points regardless of song quality.
hate to break it to you, but in the real world here in the west most people just think that israel is defending itself from an attack. nobody with a brain sees it as a black and white situation like how russia unprovokedly attacked ukraine. i only see chronically online people on twitter and reddit calling to cancel israel…
I wasn’t saying I wanted Israel to get 0 points next year, I was only pointing out a possibility for what could happen to Israel next year.
More likely it will cause them to tank and crash. If they manage to qualify from semi it will be amazing
If the semi finals are still televote only, there’s a chance the televote could blank Israel, regardless of quality.
You can’t vote against a country. If s country has Israeli supporters and they chose to support it even if they are only 10%, Israel would come highest on the televote.