Simon Cowell cancels ‘X Factor Israel’ appearance
Cowell’s staff were concerned over his participation in the show following tension between Israel and Hamas in Gaza
Popular reality TV show judge Simon Cowell has cancelled his scheduled appearance as a judge on the upcoming season of "X Factor Israel."
A spokesperson for the show's network Reshet, confirmed Variety that Cowell has cancelled "for his own reasons", reports Variety.
Reshet, however, declined to say whether Cowell would have any part in the production of "X Factor Israel" outside of judging.
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Amid rumors of his cancellation last week, a representative from Reshet told Variety that members of Cowell's staff had reached out with "legitimate concerns" over his participation in the show after the recent violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but at that time he had made no final decision.
Cowell broke his back in a bike accident last year and had to take a break from television for surgery and extensive rehab and recovery. He is currently appearing as a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent."
"X Factor Israel" will, for the first time this year, select Israel's entry for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, slated to be held in Italy. Netta Barzilai, who won Eurovision for Israel in 2018, will be on the judging panel alongside Israeli singers Aviv Geffen, Ran Danker, Miri Mesika and Margalit Tzanani.
