Israel in Eurovision: A Retrospective

The Eurovision Song Contest was won by Israel four times and has been hosted in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Find out the inside story of such classic songs as Hallelujah, A-Ba-Ni-Bi, Happy Birthday, and the Hebrew singers who graced the stage.

Plus, countries that attempted to boycott Israel and lost. Learn about the new inspiring performers such as Eden Golan and this year’s contestant Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7^th massacres.

Dana International, Netta Barzilai, Gali Atari, Izhar Cohen, Ehud Manor, Eddie Butler, Eden, Teapacks and more are discussed in this special podcast, including the much asked question as to why non-European nations such as Israel, Turkey and Australia are included in Eurovision.

Israel won its first Eurovision in 1978 with A-Ba-Ni-Bi by Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta.

Israeli group Eden perform their now classic “Happy Birthday” at the 1999 Eurovision Song Content held in Jerusalem. They came in 5th place. Credit: Avi Ohayon, Israeli Government Press Office.

Turkish singer Tuba Önal in Israel at the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest. Credit: Moshe Milner, GPO.

Milk and Honey featuring Gali Atari won the Eurovision Song Contest for their song Hallelujah held in Jerusalem in 1979. Credit: Moshe Milner, GPO.