In 2019, Israel made history by hosting the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time, marking a significant milestone in the country’s Eurovision journey. This victory underscored Israel’s status as a strong contender in the competition. Tel Aviv, serving as the host city for the first time, left an indelible mark on viewers, showcasing both the city and the nation in a memorable light. Despite facing various challenges, the newly established Israeli broadcaster KAN managed to deliver an unforgettable and successful event.

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Israel joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973, marking its debut with the entry „Ey-Sham“ performed by Ilanit, which achieved an impressive fourth place in Luxembourg. Since then, Israeli entries have brought a vibrant energy to the contest, often featuring captivating music, dynamic choreography, and a sense of celebration. Over the years, Israel has showcased numerous strong, outstanding, and unforgettable songs that have left a lasting impression on Eurovision audiences

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Israel has gained recognition for its remarkable choreography, especially during the 1980s and 1990s, when traditional formation dances were prominently featured in Israeli Eurovision performances. These choreographic elements set Israeli contributions apart, inspiring imitation from other countries, albeit with limited success. A standout example is the „Hora“ dance, also popular in Kibbutzim communities, which garnered renewed attention when it became the focal point of Israel’s 1982 entry. Sung by Avi Toledano, the song „Hora“ secured second place in the contest, showcasing the fusion of traditional dance with contemporary music on the Eurovision stage.

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Israel’s inaugural triumph in the Eurovision Song Contest occurred in 1978, when Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta secured victory with their lively performance of „Abanibi“ in Paris. The subsequent year, Israel had the honour of hosting the contest for the first time, with Jerusalem as the host city. Remarkably, Israel clinched another victory with the iconic song „Hallelujah,“ performed by Gali Atari & Milk & Honey. However, in the year following their win, Israel opted not to participate, leading to the Netherlands stepping in as the host country for the competition.

Dana International (ESC Birminham 1998) Photo: eurovisionlive

Dana International made history with her iconic victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998, captivating audiences with her anthem „Diva“ in Birmingham. Notably, she became the first transgender individual to win the competition, leaving an indelible mark on Eurovision history. Fast forward twenty years later, Netta continued Israel’s legacy by triumphantly bringing the contest back to the country with her empowering song „Toy.“ This two-decade victory interval between Dana International and Netta’s wins stands as a remarkable achievement for Israel, highlighting the country’s enduring impact on the Eurovision stage.

Dana International (ESC Birminham 1998) Photo: eurovisionlive
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Since the introduction of Semi Finals in 2004, Israel’s presence in the Eurovision Song Contest finals hasn’t been consistent, with the country qualifying only eleven times. Nevertheless, the ESC maintains significant interest and popularity in Israel, attracting large viewership figures annually. Due to the political situation in Israel the singer Eden Golan and her delegation has been suffering from rejections and exclusions, even people in the arena were showing their denial. The EBU and the reference group has been taking this problem on the agenda and hopefully this won’t happen again in Basel.

Eden Golan has reached a fantastic 5th place with the power ballad “Hurricane”, in the semi-final she was even on 1st place.

Biggest successes

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1st place, Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta with “Abanibi” (Paris 1978)

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1st place, Dana International with “Diva” (Birmingham 1998)

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1st place, Netta with “Toy” (Lisbon 2018)

History

  • Debut: 1973
  • Participations: 46
  • Victories: 4
  • Finals: 39 (13 since 2004)
  • Chances to reach the final: 85% (65% since 2004)
  • Top 10: 22 (6 since 2004)
  • Chances to reach the Top 10: 56% (30% since 2004)
  • Best place: 1 (4x)
  • Last places: 0
# location year performer song points rank show
1 Luxembourg 1973 Ilanit Ey-sham 97 4 final
2 Brighton 1974 Poogy Natati La Khaiai 11 7 final
3 Stockholm 1975 Shlomo Artzi At Ve’ani 40 11 final
4 The Hague 1976 Chocolate, Menta, Mastik Emor Shalom 77 6 final
5 London 1977 Ilanit Ah-haa-vah Hee Shir Lish-naa-yim 49 11 final
6 Paris 1978 Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta Abanibi 157 1 final
7 Jerusalem 1979 Gali Atari & Milk and Honey Hallelujah 125 1 final
8 Dublin 1981 Habibi Halaylah 56 7 final
9 Harrogate 1982 Avi Toledano Hora 100 2 final
10 Munich 1983 Ofra Haza Hi 136 2 final
11 Gothenburg 1985 Izhar Cohen Olé Olé 93 5 final
12 Bergen 1986 Moti Galadi & Sarai Tzuriel Yavoh Yom 7 19 final
13 Brussels 1987 Datner & Kushnir Shir Habatlanim 73 8 final
14 Dublin 1988 Yardena Arazi Ben Adam 85 7 final
15 Lausanne 1989 Gili & Galit Derech Ha’melech 50 12 final
16 Zagreb 1990 Rita Shara Barechovot 16 18 final
17 Rome 1991 Duo Datz Kan 139 3 final
18 Malmö 1992 Dafna Ze Rak Sport 85 6 final
19 Millstreet 1993 Lakahat Shiru Shiru 4 24 final
20 Dublin 1995 Liora Amen 81 8 final
21 Birmingham 1998 Dana International Diva 172 1 final
22 Jerusaelm 1999 Eden Yom Huledeth 93 5 final
23 Stockholm  2000 Ping Pong Sa’me’akh 7 22 final
24 Copenhagen 2001 Tal Sondak Ein Davar 25 16 final
25 Tallinn 2002 Sarit Hadad Light A Candle 37 12 final
26 Riga 2003 Lior Narkis Words For Love 17 19 final
27 Istanbul 2004 David D’or Le’ha’amin 57 11 semi-final
28 Kyiv 2005 Shiri Maymon Hasheket Shenish’ar 154 4 final
29 Athens 2006 Eddie Butler Ze Hazman 4 23 final
30 Helsinki 2007 Teapacks Push The Button 17 24 semi-final
31 Belgrade 2008 Boaz The Fire In Your Eyes 149 9 final
32 Moscow 2009 Noa & Mira Awad There Must Be Another Way 53 16 final
33 Oslo 2010 Harel Skaat Milim 71 14 final
34 Düsseldorf 2011 Dana International Ding Dong 38 15 semi-final
35 Baku 2012 Izabo Time 33 13 semi-final
36 Malmö 2013 Moran Mazor Rak Bishvilo 40 14 semi-final
37 Copenhagen 2014 Mei Finegold Same Heart 19 14 semi-final
38 Vienna 2015 Nadav Guedj Golden Boy 97 9 final
39 Stockholm 2016 Hovi Star Made Of Stars 135 14 final
40 Kyiv 2017 IMRI I Feel Alive 39 23 final
41 Lisbon 2018 Netta TOY 529 1 final
42 Tel Aviv 2019 Kobi Marimi Home 35 23 final
43 Rotterdam 2021 Eden Alene Set Me Free 93 17 final
44 Turin 2022 Michael Ben David I.M. 61 13 semi-final
45 Liverpool 2023 Noa Kirel Unicorn 362 3 final
46 Malmö 2024 Eden Golan Hurricane 375 5 final
47 Basel 2025 Yuvel Raphael New Day Will Rise 357 2 final

Video Nostalgia

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Izhar Cohen with “Olé Olé”, Rank 5 (Gothenburg 1985)

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Ping Pong with “Sa’me’akh”, Rank 22 (Stockholm 2000)

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Sarit Hadad with „Light A Candle“, Rang 12 (Tallinn 2002)