Back in January, Israeli broadcaster IBA announced the selection of world renowned Israeli singer Noa (Achinoam Nini), together with the Arab/Israeli artist Mira Awad as the duo who would represent Israel in this years contest in Moscow.
In the selection, held in the beginning of this month, Noa and Mira Awad performed four songs in a live show called Kdam Eurovision 2009. In the week prior to the national selection, the public have been allowed to vote by SMS and internet for their favourite song. In the end, the voting was mixed between SMS, Internet and jury votes.
The public televoters preferred the song Bo'i Lirkod Ti (Will You Dance With Me) as their favourite, but the jury, which had a 60% stake in the result, preferred Einaiych (There Must Be Another Way). Did they make the right choice? See for yourself:
Noa, (real name Achinoam Nini) is Israel's leading international concert and recording artist. She was born in Tel Aviv in 1969, but lived in New York City from the age of two. She returned to Israel alone at age 17 and studied music at the Rimon School where she met her long term writing partner Gil Dor. Noa has frequently collaborated with Arab and Palestinian artists from around the world in the past, and has also performed with leading artists such as Sting and Stevie Wonder.
Mira Awad is a Palestinian/Israeli singer, songwriter and actress. She was born in 1975 and lives now in Tel Aviv. Mira also attended the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. In 2002 she worked with Noa on her album Now. She is in the final stages of recording her debut album. Mira Awad will be the first ever Arab/Israeli singer to represent Israel in Europe's favourite TV show.
The duo will perform tenth in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on the 12th of May in Moscow. Read more about them here.
What do you think, will they qualify or even win the contest? Tell us below!
