Why is Israel in Eurovision and how many times have they won the song contest? – The Sun
ISRAEL may not be geographically in Europe, but they have certainly put up some great acts in the Eurovision competitions.
Here's everything you need to know about Israel's Eurovision history to date…
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Why is Israel in Eurovision?
Eagle-eyed viewers will notice that Israel isn't in Europe.
But although they are in a different continent, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has been part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
This membership has allowed the country to compete 39 times and win on four of those occasions – in 1973, 1979, 1998 and 2018.
The country is not the only competitor from outside of Europe.
Australia joined the line-up in 2015, Azerbaijan and Morocco have competed in the past, and Tunisia and Lebanon have both been considered for a place in the contest as well.
How many times has Israel won Eurovision?
Israel first competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 and they have since gone on to win the live music event on four occasions including the 2018 edition.
Israel first won the competition in consecutive years, in 1978 and 1979.
Izhar Cohen and his band The Alphabeta won the song contest in 1978.
Vocal group Milk And Honey won in 1979 with their track Hallelujah.
The country won again with singer Dana International in 1998 in Birmingham with the song Diva.
In 2018 the country was represented by then 25-year-old singer Netta Barzila in Lisbon.
She performed the song Toy – a track which had already garnered 12 million YouTube views a month before the competition – and edged out Cyprus to triumph with 529 points.
Netta won her spot after competing in the Israeli singing competition HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion, which means The Next Star For Eurovision.
As well as having a powerful voice, she is renowned for using a looper pedal in her performances.
Where is Eurovision 2021 taking place?
The long-awaited 65th Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will take place on Saturday May 22, 2021.
It will broadcast live on BBC One from 8pm.
Fans will be able to catch up on iPlayer.
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