A sign of relief comes from Israel in the past days after the Israeli broadcaster and EBU member IBA was shut down after this years contest. Making Israel’s goodbye during the 2017 voting one of the emotionals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017!
IPBC (Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation), branded “Kan” (eng.: Here), will be able to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest and other EBU broadcasts in the future. This is possible due to an agreement with the European Broadcasting Union. IPBC is currently a pending member. A decision about the full membership will be made in December 2017.
From IBA to IPBC
IPBC was founded to replace the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (IBA) after the Israeli Broadcasting Law ordered it’s closure. The debut was postponed several times, because of a legal fight on court between IPBC and the government. Nevertheless IPBC started broadcasting on May 15, 2017.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2017 was supposed to be broadcasted on IPBCs channel Kan 11. The broadcast remained with IBA, because IPBC had to push their debut behind the contest. Furthermore this made this years contest IBAs last television production and broadcast.
Misunderstanding
Israeli spokesperson, Ofer Nachshon, announced the offical goodbye during the voting of this years contest. According to Yigal Palmor, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, this was a goodbye to IBA and not for Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest. Many newspapers including The Sun reported after the broadcast, that Israel will quit the contest!
Israel has won the contest three times and debuted in 1973. This year Israel was represented by Imri Ziv and the song “I Feel Alive” finishing 23rd the final with 39 points. Even though they finishing 3rd in the second semi-final!
What are you most looking forward to with Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest for the upcoming contests?
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