Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT) intended to participate in the contest. would have appeared 11th on stage (between Israel and France), represented by the song "Seviyorum" performed by Maria Rita Epik and 21. Peron. However TRT later ended up withdrawing from the contest following pressure from Arab states, who objected to a predominantly Muslim country taking part in a contest held in Israel.

Several of the performing artists had previously competed as lead artists representing the same