Meet Netta From Israel

This year 43 countries will be present at this years Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Lisbon in May. With less than two weeks to go until all of Europe descends on Portugal's capital, Eurovoxx will introduce you to each country that will be participating.

Who Is Netta?

This year Israel will be represented by the young singer Netta Barzilai. The 25 year old singer who heralds from the small town Hod HaSharon started her musical career in the Israeli navy band, and up until recently was relatively unknown. She had been enlisted in the Israeli defence forces, but now has the honour of representing her home nation in song, as opposed to the military. The young singer is now a household name having racked up millions of views of her song, "Toy" on YouTube, and Spotify. Her Eurovision entry was recently released and headed to the number one spot in the Israeli charts.

Check Out Netta's Eurovision Entry "Toy" Here:

How Was Netta Chosen?

Of all the national finals, Israel can hold the dubious record of having the longest running one. Israel's Eurovision entry was chosen from the national final called, "HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion (The Next Star For Eurovision)". The show began on the 29th October 2017 that saw well over one hundred artists audition for the chance to sing in the live shows. Of these artists 70 was selected to perform in front of a jury, who whittled the contestants down to 20 that would perform in several heats.

These heats saw several more artists eliminated that culminated in a quarter final, semi final and ultimately the grand final. The final saw one artist eliminated from each heat. There were to be only three artists left to sing, and it was mix of 50% jury, and televote that saw Netta win the right to represent Israel at this years Eurovision. Her rendition of "Tick Tock/ Gangham Style" saw her win over the other finalists. Can she win Eurovision to add to this accolade? Her Eurovision entry was released a few months later.

Check Out Eurovoxx Reaction Video Here:

Israel At The Eurovision Song Contest

This year will be Israel's 41st Eurovision entry. Since it's beginnings back in 1973 where its debut entry finished fourth. The nation has done very well at the competition having won it on three occasions. The first was in 1978. Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, with the song "A-Ba-Ni-Bi". Then in 1979 with Gali Atari, Milk and Honey, with "Hallelujah". It's final victory would come in 1998 when Dana International won with, "Diva".

The 80's began where the 70's left off, as the country excelled in the contest. Israel had several top five finishes then. It twice withdrew from the competition back in 1980 and 1984. It has impressively finished in the top 10 on 19 occasions. Since the introduction of the semi finals back in 2004, the country has had 8 occasions where it qualified to the Grand Final. Will Netta make it 9?

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