The biggest newspaper in Israel, Yediot Ahronot, posted a very long research article today, pointing out that the selection of Lior Narkis as the Israeli entrant to Eurovision was corrupt from the beginning. The research also implies that there is a connection between Narkis and his manager to criminal figures.

According to the article, Lior Narkis and his manager found themselves in debt with a known criminal after he supported them in Narkis' first steps a few years ago. It seems that Narkis and his manager preferred to have a luxurious life rather than paying back the loan. Having a hit in Eurovision seemed like a convenient way to pay back the money.

The article describes how Narkis had strong relationships with a few of the IBA's (Israeli broadcaster) committee members, even before they had the official pre-selection, so that it appears to have been a lost cause for the rest of the candidates.

Even the matter of song's pre-selection is settled beforehand, according to the article. 3 of the 4 songs Narkis will perform on Thursday's pre-selection show were written by Yossi Gispan, and the fourth one, Lo Rotze Lihyot Kohav was written by an unknown composer. This song is reffered to as the “Dummy song”, in the industry.

A photo of Thursday's pre-selection taken by Ori Kedmi, of Tamuz
All of Narkis' outfits were designed by Artzi Yifrah, clothes designer of the 1997 dutch entrants, Mrs. Einstein.

The IBA commented on this article by saying mainly that no real violations have been witnessed.