One timers Morocco and San Marino are also missing from Oslo 2010. Morocco appeared once with the wonderful Bitakat hob in 1980. Samira Bensaid is today a megastar in the Arab world but then managed to get only 7 points, all of them from Italy, and came second to last - only Finland got less points! SNRT never looked back and hasn't expressed any will to ever return. The rival broadcaster 2M TV is applying for EBU membership and if granted might be well interested in Eurovision as being the voice of free speech and a taboo breaking media in Morocco.
San Marino surprisingly took part in the 2008 Eurovision. Many saw this as RAI's plot to taste the waters and see how it would go - after all RAI is SMRTV's biggest stock holder. Miodio's Complice however scored the last place in the semifinal and San Marino hasn't been seen since, claiming financial problems. One can only wonder how much RAI is involved in its absense? San Marino would easily attract some big Italian name to sing for them with full backing by the record company in question who is not able to use this PR for Italy itself....
Lebanon decided to take part in the 2005 Eurovision, chose Aline Lahoud with fabulous Quand tout s'enfuit and was ready for the first semifinal in Kyiv. When the local TV station opened its Eurovision website it was very evident the Israeli entry was no where to be seen. The snowball started rolling and in the end as Lebanese TV couldn't promise EBU they would show Israel's performance they were banned for three years. We haven't heard of them since....
I personally would welcome all three countries back with open arms. A touch of the Arabic music would be a great add to the Eurovision music, and if we can't get Italy back, San Marino will do just nicely, thank you!
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