Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reports this weekend of a new initiative made by IBA for a cooperatrion with their opponent, Channel 2, as a new way of selecting the national entrant to the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia.

According to this report, Teapacks terrible performance in Helsinki and their 24th position in the semifinal, along with the lowest viewing figures in Israel, ever in the history of the contest, have all lead to a great concern within the IBA for their only ratings asset- The Eurovision Song Contest. In light of this failure and because of the fact that even the Kdam-Eurovision (the televised national final) in 2006 didn't bring the country any luck (Eddie Butler's 23rd position in Athens), IBA is now initiating a new approach toward the national pre-selection. This is made in order to enhance the chances for success in the next contest in Serbia.

Yediot Ahronot reports that IBA have approached their opponent, Channel 2, which produces and broadcasts the local massive hit series of Kohav Nolad, the local version of Star Academy. According to IBA's proposal, they will not insist on the actual winner of the series, but only on one of the 3 finalists of this season's Kohav Nolad (which started yesterday) to automatically be selected to represent Israel at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. IBA derives this idea from Shiri Maymon's success in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv (who came 2nd in the first season of Kohav Nolad and 4th place in the final in Kyiv) and because many of the participating countries tend to send their Star Academy winners to the contest.

IBA's comment to Yediot Ahronot: "IBA's general manager intends of having a proper discussion about the relevance of the Eurovision Song Contestto the public broadcast in Israel. As part of this deliberation, all aspects of the contest will be taken into account and thought over". Channel 2 comment approves such a proposal has been made by IBA: "It is an interesting and thrilling proposal. We will certainly look into it with great seriousness".

Israel will have to take part in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest's semifinal, currently scheduled for May22nd next year.