Noa to perform with with Israeli Arab singer Mira Awad
Photo: AP
Noa to represent Israel in Eurovision
After leading candidate Marina Maximillian Blumin withdraws from race due to incomplete military recruitment, IBA's Eurovision Committee selects internationally renowned singer Achinoam Nini to represent Israel alongside Israeli Arab singer Mira Awad
Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, better known by her professional name Noa, will be representing Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Moscow later this year.
The decision to have Noa represent Israel came after "A Star is Born" (Israeli version of "American Idol") star Marina Maximillian Blumin announced last minute that she would not take part in the competition.
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Noa will perform side-by-side with Israeli Arab singer Mira Awad. The committee decided the song to represent Israel will include a message of peace, and will be selected from three songs that will be proposed.
Noa is considered one of the most successful Israeli artists abroad in recent years and has gained much popularity in European countries, particularly France.
The runners-up girls' group Habanot Nechama have been selected by the committee to represent Israel if, for any reason, Noa and Mira Awad are unable to do so.
Yaakov Naveh, the Israeli Artists' Union's representative on the Eurovision Committee said, "I value Marina as an artist and as a person. She has withdrawn from the race so as not to hurt the feelings of people who could be offended by this at such a sensitive point in time.
"I know she started the military recruitment process before the Eurovision matter was brought up, but for time-related reasons, the matter has not yet been sorted out.
"I hope to see her on the Eurovision stage in the future, and congratulate the selection of Achinoam Nini. She is the most successful Israeli singer in the world and there is no doubt she will represent us with honor."
