Israel requests Eurovision slot

Israel has been automatically slotted in the second semifinal of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest since the first falls on Israeli Memorial Day.

The semifinal slots are allocated by a special drawing, which will be held in January.

Israel would have withdrawn from the contest if it had not been assured of the May 12 semifinal.

Israel withdrew in 1980 and 1984 because the contest conflicted with the observance of its Memorial Day, or Yom Hazikaron.