Country Israel Selection date(s) 7 February 2012 Selected song "Time" | Selection process Internal selection Selected entrant Izabo | |
Semi-final result Failed to qualify (13th, 33 points) | ||
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Israeli entry was selected through an internal selection, organised by the Israeli broadcaster IBA. Izabo represented Israel with the song "Time", which failed to qualify from the first semi-final, achieving 13th place with 33 points.
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Possible withdraw
Israel was rumoured to have withdrawn from the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, because the date of the final falls on the same day as Shavuot, an Israeli holiday on the 26th of May. On 7 August 2011, IBA confirmed its participation despite difficulties, because of Azerbaijan's open border with Iran.
Internal selection
IBA planned a new national final with a live final to be held in January or February 2012, but this plan was cancelled in January 2012, because of scheduling problems. On 7 February 2012, IBA announced its internally selected entry, which was "Time", by the band Izabo.
A shortlist of eight artists were invited by the IBA to submit songs for this year's contest. The following artists are reported to have submitted a song:
The following artists were invited by the IBA, yet did not submit a song:
The artists who submitted the songs were judged by a specialists panel made by the IBA who concluded that Israel will send Izabo to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku.
At Eurovision
Israel competed in the second half of the first semi-final (10th on stage) on 22 May 2012, following Finland and preceding the San Marino. Israel received 33 points and placed 13th, thus failing to qualify for the final on 26 May.