The Israeli delegation will no longer attend the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy, its national broadcaster has announced.
Kan said a strike at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel had affected its “security protocols”.
Michael Ben David is due to represent the country with the song IM after winning the Israeli version of the X Factor.
As of now, due to the Ministry of Foreign affairs strike, that affects the security protocols, the Israeli delegation will not attend the Eurovision in Turin.
— KAN Eurovision Israel (@kaneurovision) April 12, 2022
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However, the announcement throws his performance into doubt.
Kan did not confirm whether the singer will compete using a pre-recorded performance aired during the contest.
A tweet from the broadcaster said: “As of now, due to the Ministry of Foreign affairs strike, that affects the security protocols, the Israeli delegation will not attend the Eurovision in Turin.”
Russia has been banned from competing at this year’s contest following the invasion of Ukraine.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the event, said the inclusion of a Russian entry at the contest in May would bring the event into “disrepute”.
The union had previously said it intended to allow Russia to compete but faced strong criticism from state broadcasters in countries including Iceland, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands.
The 2021 competition was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020, and won by Italy’s rock band Maneskin with their song Zitti E Buoni.
