IBA, the Israeli national broadcaster has confirmed that Israel will participate at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv next May.

The method and mechanism that Israel will use to select its Eurovision entry and act for Kyiv is yet to be confirmed. It is more than likely that the country will yet again opt for HaKochav Haba in order to select its Eurovision representative. More information and details will be released in due course.

In 2016 Israel opted to select its Eurovision act and entry via HaKochav Haba (The Next Star/Rising Star) . Hovi Star won the golden ticket to ESC 2016 with his entry Made of stars. Israel achieved a 14th place in the Grand Final in Stockholm.

Israel debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 with Ilanit and has won the competition thrice in 1978, 1979 and in 1998. The country has hosted Europe’s favourite television show twice in 1979 and 1999 in Jerusalem.

With Israel in the house, 28 countries have so far confirmed their intention to participate at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

The period for countries to apply for participation at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest concluded on 15 September. Hereafter applicant countries have a grace period until 10 October to decide if they are to stay or not in the competition without facing a financial penalty.

The final and confirmed list of the ESC 2017 participating countries is expected to be released by the EBU by late December/early January.

The 2017 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held at IEC in Kyiv on 9, 11 and 13 May.