May 9, 1998 Dana International wins the Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the third Israeli and the first since 1979 to do so, with her performance of the techno-pop song “Diva” in Birmingham, England. Her victory earns Israel the right to host the 1999 Eurovision contest at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on May 29. […]
April 7, 1973 Israel’s first-ever entry in the annual Eurovision Song Contest, Ilanit with the song “Ey-sham,” finishes fourth out of 17 nations, while host country Luxembourg wins for the second consecutive year. The music contest dates to 1956. Ilanit’s song is a dramatic ballad in which she realizes that she must take her lover […]
The public and the judges have decided: Eden Alene, a 19-year-old native of Jerusalem, will represent Israel at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Holland, May 12-16. Alene is the first Israeli of Ethiopian descent to be chosen for this honor. She wowed the audience and all-star panel of judges in the reality show “The Next Star to Eurovision.”
This whiteboard video focuses on this week's (May 14-18, 2019) Eurovision music competition taking place in Tel-Aviv. The video explores the history of the event and Israel's participation competing and hosting; examines why Tel-Aviv was chosen over Jerusalem to host the festival; and covers attempts by the BDS movement to generate controversy and protests.
The 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, an annual competition between member countries of the European Broadcasting Union, is held in Jerusalem.
Barzilai’s win marks Israel’s fourth (1978, 1979, 1998) since the country’s 1973 debut in the internationally televised Eurovision song contest. Her winning song “Toy” is “influenced by the #MeToo movement,” and showcases Barzilai’s unique sound. Known for mixing animal sounds and beatboxing into her performances, the singer’s distinctive musical style and commanding victory land her […]
Assembled by Ken Stein and Eli Sperling Emory University and Center for Israel Education [email protected] or [email protected] Meirav Arlozoroff, “Israel’s Population Is Growing at a Dizzying Rate. Is It Up for the Challenge?” Haaretz, January 4, 2021. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-israel-s-population-is-growing-at-a-dizzying-rate-is-it-up-for-the-challenge-1.9410043 Shlomo Avineri, “[YouTube video] Israeli Democracy: Historical Origins and Future Perspectives,” UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, January 13, […]
November 19, 1957 Singer Ofra Haza, the youngest of nine children, is born in Tel Aviv to a family who had emigrated from Yemen. Haza grows up in the impoverished Hatikvah Quarter, where she is surrounded by music, including a mother who was a singer in Yemen. Haza joins her school choir. and at age […]
November 18, 1951 Yoni Rechter, considered one of Israel’s greatest musicians, is born in Tel Aviv. He is the son of architect Ya’akov Rechter and stepson of actress Hanna Meron. He pursues music as a boy and joins the Artillery Corps band during his military service. Rechter joins the band Kaveret as a keyboardist in […]
May 2, 1968 Israel’s first general-interest television network begins broadcasting at 9:30 a.m. with an image of a menorah, followed by an aerial view of Jerusalem and, at 9:40, the national Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) parade. Known as Israel Television or General Television to distinguish it from the Education Ministry-run Israel Educational Television, the network […]
Assembled by Ken Stein and Eli SperlingEmory University and Center for Israel [email protected] or [email protected] Mohamed Abdelaziz, “Arab Reactions to the Trump Peace Plan: An Analysis and Recommendation,” Washington Institute for Near East Policy, January 31, 2020. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/fikraforum/view/arab-reactions-to-trumps-peace-plan-an-analysis-and-recommendation AFP, “Israel Awaits ‘Pragmatic’ Abbas Heir, But May Be Disappointed,” Ynet, February 13, 2020.https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJAGIPG78 Sarah Amandolare, “In the Heart of Israel’s […]
August 13, 1942 Nurit Hirsch, a musician and composer, is born in Tel Aviv. From a young age, she plays piano at a theater, a ballet studio and a quartet club. She plays in a Armored Corps band unit during her Israel Defense Forces service, then begins to compose songs. She learns with Israel Prize […]