Ten artists remain in the running to represent Israel on home soil at Eurovision 2019 after the latest HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion 2019 show aired last night.
HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion 2019 continued last night, as the show cut one more singer from the competition. The show saw Osher Biton take part in the duels round. In the duel, the loser of the duel had to select another artist to singer against, who hadn’t yet performed. Osher kept his original score from the first duel and had to beat one of the other singers to remain. The results of the duel were:
- Osher Biton (47%) vs Kobi Marimi (70%)
- Osher Biton (47%) vs Tai (64%)
- Osher Biton (47%) vs Ketreyah (86%)
Osher was knocked out of the showing, meaning the ten artists still in the running are:
- Daniel Barzilai
- Shefita
- Maya Buskila
- Avraham de Carvalho
- Daniel Mazuz
- Shalva Band
- Ofri Calfon
- Kobi Marimi
- Tai
- Ketreyah
Source: Mako
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.
