Lior Narkis, 26 , whom the Israeli broadcaster (IBA) selected today to represent Israel in the 48th Eurovision Song Contest, said that he would be thrilled to sing in Riga.

“When I was informed I am going to represent Israel in Eurovision, tears started coming from my eyes”, says Narkis. “Since they informed it on the news, my phone has'nt stopped ringing, I'm in ecstasy. I am extremely proud and happy to be representing Israel, which I love and bound to with all my soul” he says.

Narkis manager, Yuval Nissani, says that “going to Eurovision will be a climax in Narkis' career. We don't know all the details yet about the rest of the process. It's too early to tell who the songwriters will be”.

The head of the IBA's delegation to Riga, Yitzhak Sonnenschein, said that Narkis' will have to submit to the IBA 4 songs in 4 weeks time. From these songs, one will be chosen as the entry. “If none of the songs will be appropriate, we will ask for more songs or appoint songwriters for him”, says Sonnenschein. He also tried to deny rumors that another artist was chosen, but then replaced after massive pressure of some members of the jury. “Narkis was chosen after a democratic voting in which he won with a clear advantage. After the vote, all jury members wished him success” he says.

The IBA stated that in case Lior Narkis won't accept the IBA's invitation, David De'or will be nominated. Narkis is considered to be the male version of Sarit Hadad (last year's Israeli entrant) since they have the same mediterranean musical style, and his songs have also gained success with the same public.
At the bottom there is a link to Lior Narkis' site, with one of his hits at the introduction.