The Shalva Band, which withdrew due to a conflict over Sabbath observance that would have ensued in the finals for the Eurovision Song Contest, had the group won its current round in “The Next Star of the Eurovision” has just been asked to appear anyway.
Israel’s contestant to the Eurovision Song Contest is selected by the HaKochav Haba – “The Next Star of the Eurovision.” The band left the competition in order to avoid desecrating the Sabbath; rehearsals for the final competition involved mandatory appearance in the performance during the day on Saturday.
The Shalva Band will perform in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 16 in Tel Aviv.
The group, comprised primarily of young vocalists and musicians various disabilities, rivals the best in the industry today.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Kan public broadcasting network told Ynet on Wednesday the band was invited to appear as an interval act during the live show.
At a meeting with the heads of the corporation, Eurovision chief producer Ziat Davidovich, and Eurovision Song Contest director and chief editor Yuval Cohen, it was decided that the band will appear in the artistic part of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The decision was approved by the European Broadcasting Union.
