Israel Eurovision Songs

Although not physically in Europe, Israel as a member of the EBU has a right to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and did so for the first time in 1973. To date there have been three Israeli victories in the contest. Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta won in Paris in 1978 with the uptempo A-Ba-Ni-Bi. On home ground in Jerusalem the following year, Israel won again, this time with the anthemic Hallelujah performed by Gali Atari & Milk and Honey. Unusually Israel did not defend the title in 1980. The third and possibly most controversial victory came in Birmingham in 1998. Transsexual Dana International took top honours with the song Diva, angering many Orthodox Jews at home.
Apart from the victories, Israeli entries have had a mixed reception at the contest. Avi Toledano (1982) and Ofra Haza (1983) scored well with big revivalist numbers but by 1986 this all singing, all dancing style was starting to wear thin. Attempts to do something different such as with Rita's sensuous ballad in 1990 or Ping-Pong's disco effort (2000) failed badly. Ping-Pong, however, were noted for their largely optimistic lyrics and message of reconciliation and peace in Western Asia. They went as far as waving Syrian flags at the end of their performance, angering many Israelis.
Shiri Maymon's excellent performance in Kiev (2005) brought Israel back to the top five and ensured a place in the Athens 2006 final. In Eurovision 2006 Israel was represented by singer Eddie Butler with the song "Together We Are One", only to finish 23rd with 4pts. Israel will have to compete in the 2007 Semi-Final.
Year .... Finished .... Artist ........................... Song
1973 .... 4th .......... Ilanit ............................ "Ey Sham"
1974 .... 7th .......... Poogy .......................... "Natati La Khayay"
1975 .... 11th ........ Shlomo Artzi ................. "At Va'Ani"
1976 .... 6th .......... Shokolad Menta Mastik .. "Emor Shalom"
1977 .... 11th ........ Ilanit ............................ "Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim"
1978 .... 1st .......... Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta "A-Ba-Ni-Bi"
1979 .... 1st .......... Gali Atari & Milk and Honey "Hallelujah"
Did not participate in 1980.
1981 .... 7th .......... Hakol Over Habibi .......... "Halayla"
1982 .... 2nd ......... Avi Toledano .................. "Hora"
1983 .... 2nd ......... Ofra Haza ...................... "Khay"
Did not participate in 1984.
1985 .... 5th .......... Izhar Cohen ................... "Olé, Olé"
1986 .... 19th ........ Moti Giladi & Sarai Tzuriel ."Yavo Yom"
1987 .... 8th .......... Datner & Kushnir ............. "Shir Habatlanim"
1988 .... 7th .......... Yardena Arazi .................. "Ben Adam"
1989 .... 12th ........ Gili & Galit ....................... "Derekh Hamelekh"
1990 .... 18th ........ Rita ................................. "Shara Barkhovot"
1991 .... 3rd ......... Duo Datz .......................... "Kan"
1992 .... 6th ......... Dafna Dekel ...................... "Ze Rak Sport"
1993 .... 24th ....... Sarah'le Sharon & The Shiru Group "Shiru"
Did not participate in 1994.
1995 .... 8th ......... Liora ................................. "Amen"
Did not participate in 1996 and 1997.
1998 .... 1st ......... Dana International .............. "Diva"
1999 .... 5th ......... Eden ................................. "Yom Huledet"
2000 .... 22nd ...... PingPong ............................ "Sameyakh"
2001 .... 16th ....... Tal Sondak ......................... "En Davar"
2002 .... 12th ....... Sarit Hadad ........................ "Nadlik Beyakhad Ner"
2003 .... 19th ....... Lior Narkis .......................... "Milim La'Ahava"
2004 .... SF:11th .. David D'Or .......................... "Leha'Amin"
2005 .... 4th ......... Shiri Maymon ...................... "Hasheket Shenish'ar"
2006 .... 23rd ....... Eddie Butler ........................ "Together We Are One"
Video: Israel, 1977; Ilanit - Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim (11th):
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Video: Israel, 1975; Shlomo Artzi - At Va'Ani (11th):
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Video: Israel, 2002; Sarit Hadad - Nadlik Beyakhad Ner (12th):
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Video: Israel, 1989; Gili & Galit - Derekh Hamelekh (12th):
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Video: Israel, 2001; Tal Sondak - En Davar (16th):
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Video: Israel, 1990; Rita - Shara Barkhovot (18th):
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Video: Israel, 1986; Moti Giladi & Sarai Tzuriel - Yavo Yom (19th):
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Video: Israel, 2000; PingPong - Sameyakh (22nd):
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Video: Israel, 2006; Eddie Butler - Together We Are One (23rd):
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Video: Israel, 1993; Sarah'le Sharon & The Shiru Group - Shiru (24th):
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Video: Israel, 2004; David D'Or - Leha'Amin (SF:11th):
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