Eleven artists have qualified to the next round of Israel’s Eurovision selection show.
Tonight twelve artists took to the stage in the fourth round of HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion 2019. The voting in this round was slightly different to that seen in previous rounds, as now each jury member could give the contestants 8 or 0 points, with the audience deciding the rest of the points. The maximum amount of points is 100, which are then converted into percentages.
Qualifying to the next round are:
- Ofri Calfon and Shalva Band (94%) — duet
- Avraham de Carvalho (88%)
- Ketreyah (85%)
- Daniel Mazuz (saved by jury)
- Shefita (saved by jury)
- Osher Biton (saved by jury)
- Tai (saved by jury)
- Daniel Barzilai (saved by jury)
- Kobi Merimi (saved by jury)
- Maya Buskila (saved by jury)
The only act to be eliminated tonight was Clara Sabag.
Israel debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973, and were represented by Ilanit who finished in 4th place with the song “Ey Sham”. Their first victory came in 1978 with Izar Cohen and the Alphabeta. Israel won again the following year with Gali Atari & Milk and Honey. Israel’s third victory came in 1998 when Dana International performed “Diva” in Birmingham, beating Malta to victory in a tense voting sequence. Israel struggled in the contest during the early-2010s, failing to qualify for the final from 2011-2014. However since the HaKokhav HaBa selection process was introduced in 2015 Israel has seen its fortunes turned around. In 2018 Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Toy”, the song has gone on to be the most viewed Eurovision entry of all time on YouTube.
