We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Israel.
Noa Kirel
As early as 11 July last year, Israeli broadcaster Kan announced Noa Kirel to be the Israeli representative. However, Noa first said that it was just a ‘maybe’, and nothing was sure yet. One month later, an official confirmation came, and the song “Unicorn” was presented in March. The song is written by Doron Medalie, Yinon Yahel and May Sfadia. Medalie wrote “Golden boy” (2015), “Made of stars” (2016) and the winning song “Toy” (2018) for Israel. He also wrote “Feker libi”, the song for the cancelled contest in 2020. “Toy” and “Feker libi” were co-arranged by Yinon Yahel.
Noa Kirel is not quite a nobody in Israel. In 2015 she rose to fame when she published a song called “Medabrim” and gained many views. She also starred in a docu-reality series and hosted a show on the Israeli Kidz Channel. She also played in a movie and in a musical show. As a singer, she reached the no. #1 spot in the Israeli charts several times. “Meusharim” (with Liran Danino), “Million dollar” (with Shahar Saul), “Trilili tralala” (with Ilan Peled) and “Reashim” (with Osher Cohen) were her most succesful songs. She was a judge in several talent shows.
From Kdam to X-Factor
Noa Kirel was internally chosen. Last year, X-Factor Israel was the preselection. The years before, Hakokhav Haba L’Eurovizion, a talent show, was the preselection. Longer ago, Kdam Eurovizion was the national final.
Very remarkable in those years were the many attempts by Yardena Arazi, “Layla tov Europa” by Dana International and in recent years Mergui (who became a star after the preselection) and Shefita were remarkable contestants.
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest
Israel started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. With a 4th place, the country was succesful rightaway. Four times Israel won: in 1978 with Izhar Cohen and The Alpha Beta and “A-ba-ni-bi”, a year later with Gali Atari & Milk and Honey with Hallelujah”. We saw Dana International winning the contest with “Diva” in 1998, while Netta was the most recent winner in 2018 with “Toy”. Beside, three other entries made it to the top-10.
Bookmakers
Currently, Israel is doing very well in the betting odds with a 6th place. It is a sign that “Unicorn” might do very well in the contest in Liverpool.
The song
And of course, this is the song:
