The participation of Israel in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest first began in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) a member organisation of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) were responsible for the selection process of their participation. The only representative to participate for the nation was Kids.il with the song "Let the Music Win", which finished in eighth place out of twelve participating entries, achieving a score of sixty-eight points. Israel withdrew from competing in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, and also sat out of the 2014 and 2015 contests. However, following their success at the 2015 and 2016 Eurovision Song Contests, IBA expressed an interest in making a return to competing at Junior Eurovision. It was announced on the 28 September 2016 that Israel would indeed return to the contest in 2016, with their entrant being selected internally.
History
Location of Israel.
On 10 July 2012, the Israeli national broadcaster, Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), announced that they would be making their Junior Eurovision debut at the 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 1 December 2012.[1] IBA internally selected a sextet group consisting of members Adel Korshov, Adi Bity, Adi Mesilati, Daniel Pruzansky, Libi Panker, and Tali Sorokin. The group who were known by their band name Kids.il, performed the song "Let the Music Win",[2] which finished in eighth place achieving a score of sixty-eight points.[3] Israel has previously shown interest to take part in the 2004 and 2008 contests, although no reasons were ever published to detail the change of interest.[4]
On 21 October 2013, IBA announced their withdrawal from the 2013 contest. However, no details were published as to provide reasons for their withdrawal.[5] Israel continue to be absent from the 2014,[6] and 2015 contests.[7] Following Israel's success at the 2015 and 2016Eurovision Song Contests, the Israeli broadcaster IBA expressed their interest in a potential return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016.[4] On 28 September 2016, Israel's participation was officially confirmed by the EBU.[8]
The contests are broadcast online worldwide through the official Junior Eurovision Song Contest website junioreurovision.tv and YouTube. In 2015, the online broadcasts featured commentary in English by junioreurovision.tv editor Luke Fisher and 2011 Bulgarian Junior Eurovision Song Contest entrant Ivan Ivanov.[9] The Israeli broadcaster, IBA, never sent their own commentator to the 2012 contest. However, a spokesperson was chosen in order to announce the awarding points from Israel. The table below list the details of each commentator and spokesperson since 2012.
