Eurovision: Songs Israel Almost Sent (1978 - 2022) | Second Places in Israeli National Finals

Even though the majority of Israel's entries have been chosen through national finals, they have a history of switching back and forth between different selection methods - be it internal selections, artist-only or song-only NFs or casting shows such as Rising Star or X Factor. This video will give you a quick recap of all the songs Israel almost sent to Eurovision!

[@filipgrmsek]

The fact the Blinded Dreamers was 1 point from the victory in 2022 ...

[@GalaxyNokiaGames]

List of replaced entries: 2:37 replaced by *Ben Adam* 4:24 replaced by *Happy birthday* (Eden) 4:57 replaced by *LIght a candle* 5:15 replaced by *Words for love* 5:25 replaced by *To believe* 6:15 replaced by *Fire in your eyes* 6:28 replaced by *There must be another way* 6:44 replaced by *Milim* 7:28 replaced by *Same heart* 8:03 replaced by *Feker Libi* 8:12 replaced by *Set me free*

[@arvinroidoatienza7082]

*Déjà-vu* replaced by Unicorn

[@TornadoSponge]

1978 ending in a tie really made me wish that the alternative song got an extra point. It definitely would have done well, considering the chosen song won in a landslide.

[@origo1165]

btw, the 1979 guy went later to be also a composer for several ESC entries for Israel (e.g. Diva), but not only (iirc he composed Ukraine's debut at ESC in 2003) :D

[@saltbruh]

Very cool nf history and eurovision history. Israel is the only country in the middle east that competes in eurovision 🎉🎉🇮🇱

[@OlliTamminen]

What, that 2006 runner up sounds amazing. And they chose… that horrible gospel thing.

[@amaliadepinho]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been curious about it ever since I started watching your videos

[@choozmic63]

always joyful

[@arvinroidoatienza7082]

Dude you forgot Déjà-vu which was Noa Kirel's 2nd choice to Liverpool

[@kjESCil]

do you have a source for this? i haven't heard of that until now

[@arvinroidoatienza7082]

@@kjESCil Eurovoix. The article “Deja Vu” Noa Kirel’s Other Potential Eurovision Entry. "Two songs were in the running to represent Israel at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, with Noa choosing “Unicorn” over the other song, in the end. Euromix has revealed that Noa’s other song is called “Deja Vu”, which was written by Jordi, Ron Beaton and Itay Shimoni. Two versions of “Deja Vu” were recorded - one in Hebrew and one in English. The Hebrew version of “Deja Vu” was planned to be Noa Kirel’s next single, however, Noa is working with Ron Beaton on a different single in honour of Pride Month. “Deja Vu” is expected to be released during July. The music video for “Deja Vu” will be directed by Roman Buchatsky, who has previously directed the music videos for “Diamonds”, “Bell” and “Thought About That”. It has also been revealed that Noa Karel will perform at Yarkon Park in front of an audience of 30,000 people. The performance is scheduled for September 21st, later this year."

[@kjESCil]

@@arvinroidoatienza7082 thanks!

[@jejtherusheddoodle23]

1980 shouldn’t be included, because they already withdrew before Kdam, since they couldn’t afford hosting twice in a row. That year, Kdam was a song contest separate from Eurovision.

[@some.random.baldie2111]

1978 would have also won Eurovision I feel. It was meant to be Israel's year that year. Sexta would have been brilliant in 1981. Maybe Top 5. Yardena....legend! She'd have come second in actual ESC both times in 82/83 (although I think she would have won in 1983), they're great songs. 1987 would have been a safe Top 5...if Ilana performed a bit better. Yardena would have also done well in 1988 with any of her songs. Avi couldn't top 1982, but 1989 is pretty good. Anat Atzmon's song sounds more American! I don't think Dana International would have done that well in 1995. Liora was the right choice. I think Vered would have saved that weak year in 2001. Sarit would have done better with 'Mr DJ Superman', but 'Yasu yasu' would have gone Top 5. Diamonds would have done well in 2006. Very televote friendly. 2009 was the Israeli public's favourite! I think that would have done better, even if the actual entry was brilliant. Moran deserved to win (and so much better) in 2013, not that song! All three of Mei's songs were brilliant. I think I like the female version of 2016. Eli would have done better than what was chosen by far. Thank you for this. Israel is one of the best ESC countries.

[@Botafogoplayground]

It is indeed.

[@vincentesc]

Unpopular opinion Roots would have finished in the top 5 at Eurovision

[@Botafogoplayground]

Belev echad is a real classic.

[@kristianziegler-holm7269]

What about Ilanit in 1984 with Balalaika?

[@HeyMoksha.]

Or Tikva by Ofira Yosefi RIP here kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqSop2Sue8ipeJo

[@idantal9832]

In 1980 you put the video of the winning song and the title of the 2nd place

[@kjESCil]

Oh, thanks for letting me know! Will fix it next time

[@idantal9832]

Iarael had also a national selection of 3 songs by chocolate menta mastik in 1976, the second place is different in different soucres between Ze Tov Ze Tov and Keshet Be'Anan

[@idantal9832]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHmoln6VjLVor5Y the song was selected internaly but this is the broadcasted presentation of the 3 songs

[@GalaxyNokiaGames]

some of Israel's entries would have been latter replaced for the mainline contest

[@GalaxyNokiaGames]

the one in 1980 was a withdrawn entry

[@kjESCil]

@@GalaxyNokiaGames there's an infobox for 1980 in the top left corner :)

[@GalaxyNokiaGames]

@@kjESCil i think this was the reason why Morocco took its place during that year's contest

[@djsuhsn9434]

Teapacks (2007) also had a national selection

[@kjESCil]

did they announce which song came second?

[@djsuhsn9434]

@@kjESCil In fact, the choice of the song "push the button" was made unanimously and all three other songs did not receive a score at all, despite this, there was a song that received the second highest percentage of votes called "voulez vous"

[@kjESCil]

@@djsuhsn9434 ahh i didn't know there was a tiebreaker, can you link me a source so i might include it in the 2025 version?

[@djsuhsn9434]

@@kjESCil kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5XXin2joa6ch9Esi=cWUphSb8ImoRed_O

[@djsuhsn9434]

@@kjESCil kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5XXin2joa6ch9Esi=_IRj24jkkelphAGd

[@Botafogoplayground]

Halevay should have won in 1986.

[@arvinroidoatienza7082]

1980: and they never had a chance again? And they almost sent an entry the same title as their controversial anthem Oh Dana tried before?