The first year Israel won Eurovision was 1978, in Paris, with the song “A-Ba-Ni-Bi” performed by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta. Israel won again the following year, in Jerusalem, with the song “Hallelujah,” which became an international hit. In 1998, trailblazing transgender singer Dana International won the competition in Birmingham, U.K.: she performed the song “Diva.” Finally, Netta (Netta Barzilai) won in 2018 with the women-empowering “Toy,” which also became an international favorite.
Quote: “Israel made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 as the first non-European country granted permission to participate in the event. The EBU allowed Israel to participate since the country’s broadcaster was already one of its members.”
Sources: Wikipedia (introduction), Eurovision.tv (quotation)
Learn more about the annual Eurovision Song Contest from Wikipedia. ►
Learn more about Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest from Wikipedia. ►
Watch “Israel in Eurovision Song Contest (1973-2021) ” ►
Watch Israeli singer Netta (pictured) performing her 2018 Eurovision-winning song “Toy” a year later in Amsterdam. ►
Photo: The Independent
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