On 21 October 2013, IBA announced their withdrawal from the 2013 contest. However, no details were published as to provide reasons for their withdrawal. Israel continue to be absent from the , and contests. Following Israel's success at the and Eurovision Song Contests, the Israeli broadcaster IBA expressed their interest in a potential return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. On 28 September 2016, Israel's participation was officially confirmed by the EBU. On 25 July 2018 it was announced that Israel would return in the 2018 contest, following a change in the contest rules to allow more than 18 countries to participate. The country was given special dispensation by the host broadcaster BTRC and the EBU as they had won the adult contest earlier that year.