IBA, the Israeli broadcaster, has revealed the brand new format that will be used for choosing their 2013  Eurovision Song Contest entry: 30 artists will compete in three semifinals, and only ten will qualify to the grand final. The budget for the whole selection is estimated to 400,000 euros, and it is the first time that IBA will hold a big selection, as until now the traditional Kdam was held during one night only.

The four shows are planned to be held on January-February 2013. The top three will qualify to the grand final, along with a wildcard that will be chosen after all semifinals.

No participating artists have been revealed yet, however Kathleen Reiter, the winner of The Voice Israel, is rumored to be one of the favorites to take part in the selection.

Kathleen Reiter –  Set Fire To The Rain (Adele Cover, The Voice Israel Final)

Israel has failed qualifying to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest for two years in a row, being represented this year by Izabo with the song Time.


Gil is 23 years old, grew up in Israel and lives in Sweden. He began following the Eurovision Song Contest at the age of five, when the contest was held in Jerusalem in 1999. Gil joined the ESCToday team in March 2008, shortly after co-hosting the Israeli national selection that year.