The 2007 Eurovision Song Contest's viewing figures in Israel were revealed today and they demonstrate a sharp decrease in the contest's popularity in the country.

Last Thursday's semifinal, in which Teapacks only reached the 24th position, attracted a very limited audience among Israeli television viewers: Only 11.5% of the television viewers in Israel tuned in to watch the show from Helsinki. After Teapacks unsuccessful performance in the semifinal the crowd has almost lost interest totally, as Saturday's final only attracted 8.6% in avarage, from all households in the country. In comparison, Last year's final gained an avarage of 21% when Eddie Butler, who is much less popular and known than Teapacks are, sang for Israel. Sarit Hadad and Shiri Maymon both gave the IBA about 40% ratings in 2002 and 2005, respectively.

Voices of protest against IBA's approach to Eurovision have already started to rise in the local media. On of them is of the lyricist Shimrit Or, who wrote Hallelujah in 1979 and Ein Davar in 2001. Or calls the IBA to select the 2008 entry by first selecting a suitable song by an internal jury. According to Or, only then the IBA would approach possible artists to perform the selected song in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest's semifinalin Serbia.