Israel draws opponents for Eurovision semifinal slated for May 12 in Austria |
Israel will take part in the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 12 in Vienna, according to the draw on Monday, with five countries having pulled out of this year’s competition over Israel’s participation.
The world’s biggest live televised music event heads into its 70th anniversary edition mired in its biggest-ever political boycott, with just 35 countries set to participate — the fewest since entry was expanded in 2004.
Israel will compete against 14 other countries, including past Eurovision winners Estonia, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Serbia and Sweden, for spots in the May 16 final, the draw at Vienna’s City Hall revealed.
Israel has yet to pick who will represent it in the contest, a position given to the winner of the “Hakochav Haba” (Rising Star) reality TV contest. The show’s finale airs January 20.
In the other semifinal held on May 14, the 15 countries vying for spots include past winners Azerbaijan, Denmark, Latvia, Norway, Ukraine and Switzerland, according to the draw.
From each semifinal, 10 songs that get the most points from the jury combined with a public vote........