Days before the Eurovision competition, the Arabvision took place. Young Arab singers from all over the country competed for the chance to represent Israel in the Arab world's version, The Arabvision, held annually in Morrocco.
The event also serves as an alterative American Idol style competition that is popular in the Arab world because as Israeli citizens they can not travel to Arab countries while, on the other hand, they do not find a place at the Israeli "A Star is Born" because of the Hebrew-language songs.
The event is therefore one of the only opportunities for young Arabs to display their talent and participate in a competition that is open to the public. The event was sponsored by a major cellular company and was held at the Herzliya studios. Most of the songs written for the event dealt with love.
The dancers at the event were actually Jewish teenagers from South America, the stylists – from Russia, and the director – a Sabra.
The eight contestants selected out of hundreds of applicants could easily become teen idols thanks to their charisma, yet two of the participants were clearly the favorites from the start: Shadi Huri from Yassif and the winner, Riham Hamadi.
Riham Hamadi sang "Be patient," by Jiris Eid from Nazareth and received the largest number of text-messages. Rihad, 19, the daughter of a doctor and a teacher, will perform in Morocco in March 2008.