IBA's executive manager put an end yesterday to the latest speculations and rumors regarding the fate of the Israeli national final of 2007, the Kdam-Eurovision, by announcing its cancellation. The leading candidate to represent the country is now Har'el Ska'at. Click 'Play' bellow to watch Ska'at's biggest hit so far, Ve'at.
IBA has been suffering latelyfrom acute financial difficulties, resulting in the actual disappearance of the entertainment section within IBA's television, Channel 1. The reports about this situation resulted in speculations about the future of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, and in the 2007 contest in Helsinki in particular. IBA's executive manager, Moti Sh'klar, put an end yesterday to these speculation by announcing the cancellation of the 2007 Kdam-Eurovision.
Nevertheless, Israel will indeed participate in the 2007 contest. The national entrant will be chosen by an internal committee. It has been said that IBA would like to see the singer Har'el Ska'at represent Israel in Helsinki. Ska'at took the second place in the second season of the Israeli Star Academy. Since then he released a successful album and was chosen just recently as the best male vocalist of the year, in various charts. Other names which the IBA will propose to sing for Israel are: Roni Superstar, Ninet Tayeb, Keren Peles and Maya Buskila.
The two methods of selection had different results each. An internal committee selected the 1998 Eurovision winner, Dana International and Diva, but also the 2000 entry Same'ach by Ping-Pong which reached the 22nd position in Stockholm. The Kdam-Eurovision was proven successful throughout the years, including in 2005 when Shiri Maymon was selected and later on arriving at a 4th place in Kyiv. Eddie Butler was also chosen in the Kdam-Eurovision of 2006. His poor result at a 23rd position in Athens is the reason why Israel will have to participate in the semifinal of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki.
