A group of Israeli musicians and songwriters are challenging the selection process for Israel’s 2025 Eurovision Song Contest entry, alleging a conflict of interest involving songwriter Keren Peles.
Peles, who co-wrote last year's entry Hurricane, also co-wrote the song selected by Kan Broadcasting Corporation to be performed by Yuval Raphael in the upcoming contest.
In a letter addressed to Kan and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, obtained by Ynet, the musicians claimed that Peles' involvement in The Next Star—the televised competition that chose Raphael as Israel's representative—raises concerns about the fairness of the selection process. They have demanded Kan release the committee's protocols, reconvene a new selection panel or introduce a more transparent process that includes public participation.
Kan defended its selection, saying that the song was chosen from 54 candidates by a professional committee comprising senior music editors, television and production executives, and a public representative, all unaffiliated with any private production company. "The process is closely supervised by Kan’s deputy legal advisor throughout all meetings and decisions," the broadcaster said in a statement.
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Communications Minister Karhi, who has been at odds with Kan in the past, responded by calling on the public broadcaster to disclose its selection process. "The public has the right to know how decisions are made regarding Israel's representation on the international stage," he wrote.
Eden Golan performs Hurricane at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
(Video: Kan)
Kan further noted that the selection of Israel’s Eurovision entry has always been done by secret ballot and emphasized that this year’s song was unanimously chosen. "Over the years, many artists and songwriters have represented Israel multiple times, sometimes in consecutive years," the broadcaster said.
"Our recent successes in Eurovision—including first, third, and fifth-place finishes—speak for the professionalism of the selection process and the quality of the chosen songs."
First published: 10:19, 02.09.25