According to Belarusian broadcaster reports, the 18 countries limit rule was ignored to allow for Israel to participate in this year’s Junior Eurovision.
Agreement with EBU
According to Junior Eurovision rules, a maximum of 18 countries can participate at the contest. However, this year that rule was not enforced, allowing Israel to participate in Minsk. Belarusian broadcaster stated that them and the EBU agreed on the exception. Therefore, Israel is able to make a return to the contest for the first time since 2016. This is the second time in a row that the winning country of the adult Eurovision returns to Junior Eurovision. Although Israel confirmed participation, no further information on how they will select their entrant is available yet.
Israel at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Israel has a rather short history at Junior Eurovision. In fact, they only appeared at the contest twice, in 2012 in Amsterdam and 2016 in Malta. So far, their best result is the 8th place with 68 points achieved in 2012 by Kids.il while 2016’s entrants Shir& Tim placed 15th with 27 points.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Belarus’s capital Minsk will be the host of the 2018 edition of Junior Eurovision. This is the second time the event takes place in the city, who previously hosted it in 2010. A record-breaking 19 countries will participate in Minsk on November 25 and they are:
- Albania (RTSH)
- Armenia (AMPTV)
- Australia (ABC / SBS)
- Azerbaijan (ICTIMAI)
- Belarus (BTRC)
- France (France TV)
- FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
- Georgia (GPB)
- Ireland (TG4)
- Israel (KAN)
- Italy (RAI)
- Kazakhstan (Khabar Agency)
- Malta (PBS)
- Poland (TVP)
- Portugal (RTP)
- Russia (RTR)
- Serbia (RTS)
- The Netherlands (AVROTROS)
- Wales (S4C)
Wales and Kazakhstan will both make a debut with Kazakhstan participating for the first time to any Eurovision related event. The contest will also feature three returning countries: France, that last participated in 2004, Azerbaijan that last participated in 2013 and Israel that last participated in 2016. Unfortunately, two countries that participated last year, Cyprus and Ukraine, both confirmed their withdrawal from the competition.
Are you looking forward to Junior Eurovision 2018? Are you happy to see new and returning countries at the contest?
Let us know in the comments section below and on all social media platforms at @ESCXTRA!
