With just weeks to go before this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Israel could be facing one of its worst defeats in recent years which may even relegate the country to next year's semi-final.
"Only a miracle, or all the other countries failing to show up may help Israel do well," says one Israeli fan about the upcoming Eurovision song contest.
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In 1999 he did it with musical group "Eden." This time, Eddie Butler made it on his own with the song "This is the time" |
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According to bookmakers, the song Together We Are One by Eddie Butler is a 150 - to - 1 very long outsider. Only Portugal's song, at 200-to-1, has lower odds.
Israel's most recent major flop was in 2000, when the group Ping Pong scored just seven points with the song Be Happy. In 1993, they came second from bottom with the song Shiru, by Lamakat Shiru with Saraleh Sharon.
Backlash expected
This year's entry may do similar and looks set to face a backlash from the Israeli public if it does as badly as predicted.
"I have no idea how we could put this through," one fan said. "It sounds like something out of a second rate fake-Disney cartoon. We had several other songs that were very good."
If Israel does not make it as a top six song this year, then next year they will have to take part in a semi-final to try and quality for next year's final.
"Israel's song is really disappointing," said Caroline Westbrook, showbiz writer and editor of Eurovisionblog.com. "It's a really bland song. And if the bookies are to be believed, then Israel will find it very tough to avoid relegation to the semi-finals next year."
Butler himself is no stranger to Eurovision; as part of the group Eden, he came fifth in 1999, the last time Israel hosted the contest.
Reprinted with permission of Something Jewish
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