Mei Finegold to fly the Israeli flag in Copenhagen

After holding a large national selection last year, IBA decided this year to downsize this and instead went for an internal selection where three artists were all in contention for the coveted honour of representing their country in Denmark in May. 

Also in the running were Maya Buskila and Ela Doron, but in the end the IBA committe went with Mei Finegold, who has had a successful career at home in Israel. 

A private national final 

IBA have informed us that a private national selection will take place for Mei, with three songs in the run. These will partly be submitted by Mei herself, with further contributions coming from the public. 

Mei Finegold participated in the final of the Israeli idol show Kochav Nolad, where former Israeli representatives Shiri Maimon (2005), Boaz Mauda (2008) and Harel Ska'at (2010) took part as well. She also plays in several musicals and was the solist of the band Limousine Express.

Yitzhack Sonnenshine, the Israeli HoD, said about the selection of Mei: "I would like to thank all committee members and the IBA representatives who are the best in the local music industry. I believe in our choice and wish the best of luck to Mei Finegold. The main mission is now in front of us, which is selecting the song that will represent Israel in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest".

You can see a video of Mei performing the song Mexsico below to get a taste of what she is about:

Israel will take part in one of the two Semi-Finals of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest being held on the 6th and 8th of May at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen, Denmark. The final will be held on the 10th of May. 

In Malmö last year, Moran Mazor failed to qualitify to the Grand Final, with her song Rak bishvilo.