KAN, the Israeli national broadcaster, has revealed that Israel will not take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Poland.
The press department of KAN has confirmed the news to Eurofestivales but did not give a specific reason for their withdrawal. Despite their withdrawal, KAN will still be broadcasting the contest. Both the 2007 and 2017 contest were also broadcast on Israeli television, despite Israel not taking part either of those years.
Israel returned to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, following a two year absence from the competition. Israel was represented by Noam Dadon with the song “Children Like These” and finished 14th with 81 points. Israel was 13th with the juries on 34 points and ended 11th in the online vote scoring 47 points.
The 2019 Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on Sunday 24th November in Gliwice, Poland. To date, 13 countries have expressed their interest in participating in the contest:
- Albania
- Australia
- France
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Kazakhstan
- Malta
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Wales
Although they have not yet confirmed, it is expected that these countries will confirm this year due to their attendance at the Reference Group meeting:
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Italy
The following nations have confirmed that they will not be participating in Poland:
- Croatia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Cyprus
- Israel
Source: Eurofestivales
Israel in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Israel has previously taken part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on three occasions. On their debut in 2012, Kids.il came eighth with “Let the Music Win”. Israel then withdrew from the 2013 contest and did not return until 2016. On their return, the country was represented by Shir & Tim with “Follow My Heart”. The duo finished in fifteenth place.
It’s up to the following countries to save the day:
* Armenia
* Belarus
* Bulgaria (if they can get their budget straightened out)
* Italy
* Serbia
* Spain (seriously!)