ESC Winning Countries:

13) ISRAEL

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

ALL THE WINNING COUNTRIES

A look back at every country that has won the Eurovision Song Contest in chronological order.

 

1978

ISRAEL

Over the decades, Eurovision has expanded its frontiers to include countries such as Australia, Morocco and Israel. These additions have attracted controversy. Israel joined the Eurovision family in 1973. Five years later, the country became the first (and so far only) non-European nation to claim victory. Its first win proved to be a dilemma for nations that did not recognize the state of Israel. Some did not telecast the outcome!

“A-Ba-Ni-Bi” was performed by Izhar Cohen & The Alphabeta. This first Israeli winner was succeeded the following year by “Hallelujah”. Performed by Milk and Honey”, the song provided Israel with back-to-back victories in 1978 and 1979. In the latter year, Eurovision ventured beyond the European continent and was held in host city Jerusalem in the Middle East for the first time. These 2 winning entries were the first sung in Hebrew.

Along with the political controversy surrounding Israel at Eurovision, in 1998 there were new tensions due to Dana International’s selection to represent the country. As a transgender performer, Dana received death threats. Fortunately, this did not hinder its chance, as “Diva” stormed to victory.

In 2018, Israel claimed its fourth Eurovision win with Netta’s “Toy”. This was the first Israeli winner not sung in Hebrew. Tel Aviv became the second city in Israel to host the ESC in 2019.