Kdam
Encyclopedia
The Kdam Eurovision in short known as the Kdam (Hebrew: קדם, lit.
Literal translation
Literal translation, or direct translation, is the rendering of text from one language to another "word-for-word" rather than conveying the sense of the original...

 "Pre") is the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

i national preselection of the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...

. The competition was first introduced in 1981.

Israel has won the Eurovision Song Contest three times. Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen is an Israeli singer and actor.Representing Israel, he won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Alphabeta performing "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" with music by Nurit Hirsh and words by Ehud Manor...

 and Alphabeta
Alphabeta
Alphabeta were a group of Israeli singers who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978 with Izhar Cohen.The group consisted of Reuven Erez, Lisa Gold-Rubin, Nehama Shutan, Ester Tzuberi, and Itzhak Okev.The winning song was called A-Ba-Ni-Bi....

 in 1978 and Milk and Honey
Milk and Honey (group)
Milk and Honey was an Israeli singing group consisting of Re'uven Gvitrz, Shmulik Bilu and Yehuda Tamir. The group performed with Gali Atari at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, where they won with the song, "Hallelujah". Their track peaked in the UK Singles Chart at #5 in April 1979. They made...

 in 1979 took part in the Festival HaZemer VeHaPizmon (Israeli Song Festival), emerged as winners of the preselection, and went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

, the Israeli winner in 1998 was chosen in an internal selection contest and not at Kdam.

1960s

In the 1960s, particularly with 1963 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1963
The Eurovision Song Contest 1963 was the 8th Eurovision Song Contest. France had won the contest in 1962 but were incapable of hosting in 1963, as was their right, due to financial shortcomings. As was the case in 1960 - and as would become a tradition when smaller broadcasters could not afford to...

, Israeli singers were able to represent other European countries rather their home country, as this was before there were television broadcasts in Israel. That year, Israel was represented by Esther Ofarim for Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

 (with a song in French), and Carmela Korn for Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

. Regular television broadcasts of broadcasts in Israel began in May 1968.

1970s

In 1972, Ilanit Oamrgna
Ilanit
Ilanit is a female Israeli singer who represented her country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1953 the family moved to Brazil and returned to Israel in 1960....

 and Shlomo Zach argued that the Israel Broadcasting Authority
Israel Broadcasting Authority
Israel Broadcasting Authority is Israel's state broadcasting network.It grew out of the radio station Kol Yisrael, which made its first broadcast as an independent station on . The name of the organisation operating Kol Yisrael was changed to Israel Broadcasting Service in 1951...

 (IBA) was entitled to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, since it was a member of the European Broadcasting Union
European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...

 (EBU). IBA agreed and asked that Ilanit be representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...

 in 1972. But registration period had been already closed for the 1972 competition, thus Israel's first participation was delayed by one year. In 1973, Ilanit won the bid to represent Israel in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

 at that year’s Eurovision Song Contest becoming the first Israeli official entry to Eurovision. The Committee of the Broadcasting Authority was in charge of selecting the song. Ehud Manor
Ehud Manor
Ehud Manor was an Israeli songwriter, translator, and radio and TV personality.-Career:Manor began working for Israel radio in the 1960s, as a musical editor...

 and Nurit Hirsch wrote the chosen song, "Ey Sham
Ey Sham
"Ey Sham" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973, performed in Hebrew by Ilanit....

" in Hebrew, although in that year contest, countries did not have to sing in their national languages. Manor explained that they saw the importance of that song in that it will be representing Israel in Hebrew, but was concerned of the "shmtzlol of words" being jarring to the ear of a European listeners. Ilanit came fourth in the first ever Israeli entry.

In later years, a selection committee continued to choose the acts to be sent on behalf of Israel including the band Kaveret
Kaveret
Kaveret , also known as Poogy , was an Israeli rock band in the mid-1970s that won much fame around the world for their often humorous songs and unique style of music. Their shows included many skits, among which are the Sipurey Poogy...

 with "Natati La Khayay
Natati La Khayay
"Natati La Khayay" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, performed in Hebrew by Kaveret ....

" (7th place), Shlomo Artzi
Shlomo Artzi
Shlomo Artzi is an Israeli folk rock singer-songwriter, and composer.He was born on November 26, 1949, in Moshav Alonei Abba. In the course of his career, he has sold over 1.5 million albums, making him one of Israel's most successful male singers....

 with "At Va'Ani
At Va'Ani
"At Va'Ani" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975, performed in Hebrew by Shlomo Artzi....

" (11th place), and the trio Chocolat, Menta, Mastik
Chocolat, Menta, Mastik
Chocolat, Menta, Mastik was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the 1970s, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria or Leah Lupatin. All the girls served in the IDF as part of the Nahal Ensemble...

 with "Emor Shalom
Emor Shalom
"Emor Shalom" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in Hebrew by Chocolat, Menta, Mastik. The singing trio consisted of three young girls, serving formerly in IDF. They were Rutti Holtzman, Lea Lupatin and Yardena Arazi...

" (6th place). In 1977
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was the 22nd edition series, and was held on 7 May 1977 in London. With Angela Rippon as the presenter, the contest was won by Marie Myriam who represented France, with her song "L'oiseau et l'enfant" . This was France's fifth victory, a record, which was equalled...

 Israel sent back Ilanit
Ilanit
Ilanit is a female Israeli singer who represented her country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1953 the family moved to Brazil and returned to Israel in 1960....

 for a second time, with "Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim
Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim
Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed in Hebrew by Ilanit.The song is a love ballad, with Ilanit singing to her lover that "your song is my song"...

" (11th place).

After the second Ilanit
Ilanit
Ilanit is a female Israeli singer who represented her country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1953 the family moved to Brazil and returned to Israel in 1960....

 showing in 1977, the method of voting was changed. In the next two years 1978
Eurovision Song Contest 1978
The Eurovision Song Contest 1978 was the 23rd of its kind, and was held on 22 April 1978 in Paris. With Denise Fabre and Léon Zitrone as the presenters - the first time more than one presenter hosted the contest - the contest was won by Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta who represented Israel, with their...

 and 1979
Eurovision Song Contest 1979
The Eurovision Song Contest 1979 was the 24th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 31 March 1979 in Jerusalem, Israel. The presenters were Daniel Pe'er and Yardena Arazi, and the event was staged at the International Convention Center. Representing Israel, Gali Atari and Milk and Honey were the...

, Israel were winners in the Israeli song contest Festival HaZemer VeHaPizmon (in Hebrew פסטיבל הזמר והפזמוןפסטיבל meaning Israeli Song Festival). In both cases, the songs won the Eurovision title. The songs were "A-Ba-Ni-Bi
A-Ba-Ni-Bi
"A-Ba-Ni-Bi" was the winning song in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, performed for Israel by Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta....

" by Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen is an Israeli singer and actor.Representing Israel, he won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Alphabeta performing "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" with music by Nurit Hirsh and words by Ehud Manor...

 in 1978 and "Hallelujah by Milk and Honey
Milk and Honey (group)
Milk and Honey was an Israeli singing group consisting of Re'uven Gvitrz, Shmulik Bilu and Yehuda Tamir. The group performed with Gali Atari at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, where they won with the song, "Hallelujah". Their track peaked in the UK Singles Chart at #5 in April 1979. They made...

 in 1979.

1980s

After winning with "Hallelujah", Israel had the right to host the 25th Eurovision contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...

, but the Israeli budget was not large enough to host two consecutive contests (Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

 being the only country to successfully host more than one contest in a row). Instead the competition took place that year in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...

, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

, and was set to Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron is Israel's official Memorial Day. In 2011, Israel honored the memory of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the civilian casualties too.-Observance:...

, forcing Israel to cancel its participation, although a selection contest had been organized and a winning song called "Pizmon Chozer" (meaning "Refrain" in English) had been chosen and was going to be interpreted by Ha'achim ve ha'achayot (meaning Brothers and sisters in English).

In 1981, it was decided to change the main selection process competition for Israeli artists through competition under Kdam Eurovision (or pre-Eurovision). The first such competition was held on 3 March 1981. In most years, except in 1987 competed pre - Eurovision place Festival chorus singer.

The band Hakol Over Habibi
Hakol Over Habibi
Hakol Over Habibi was an Israeli musical band which represented their country in Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Halayla". The band consisted of: Shlomit Aharon, Kikki Rotstein, Yuval Dor and Ami Mendelman. They had originally been offered the song "Hallelujah" as a potential Eurovision...

 won the competition in 1981, for 26th Eurovision Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...

 in Dublin with the song "Halayla
Halayla
Halayla , listed as Halaylah in the official Eurovision website, was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, performed in Hebrew by Hakol Over Habibi....

". Among the prominent Kdam songs that competed were "Cinderella" by Sexta, "Hora
Hora (song)
"Hora" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed in Hebrew by Avi Toledano....

" by Avi Toledano
Avi Toledano
Born in Meknes in Morocco April 4, 1948, Avraham Toledano is known to European audiences for his involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1982 he represented Israel in Harrogate, UK with the uptempo revivalist number Hora...

 and "Estate I" by Yigal Bashan.

The 1984 Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...

 was again set on Yom Hazikaron Memorial Day and Israel canceled its participation yet again. Israel had already picked the song "Bllika" by singer Ilanit for the year's competition but without conducting any pre-Eurovision contest.

Kdam Eurovision Song Contest returned for 1985, 1986 and 1987. Among the prominent artists in this period were Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi is an Israeli singer and entertainer.-Biography:Yardena Arazi was born on Kibbutz Kabri and grew up in Haifa. Arazi is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from France and Germany. She joined the Beit Rothschild group at 16 and became its lead vocalist. She did her military service in...

, Avi Toledano
Avi Toledano
Born in Meknes in Morocco April 4, 1948, Avraham Toledano is known to European audiences for his involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1982 he represented Israel in Harrogate, UK with the uptempo revivalist number Hora...

, Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....

, Svika Pick
Svika Pick
Svika Pick is an Israeli pop singer and composer.-Biography:Henrik Zvi Pick was born in Wrocław, Poland. He studied music at the Conservatory of Ramat Gan and started to perform at the age of 15.Pick was married to Israeli songwriter Mirit Shem-Or...

, Ilana Avital, Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen is an Israeli singer and actor.Representing Israel, he won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Alphabeta performing "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" with music by Nurit Hirsh and words by Ehud Manor...

, Doron Mazar, Trio established specifically for the competition, Yigal Bashan, Uzi Hitman
Uzi Hitman
Uzi Hitman was an Israeli singer, songwriter, composer and television personality.-Early life:...

 and Yonatan Miller, and the ensemble Aizolirvend.

In 1988, IBA suspended the Kdam competition as a cost-cutting measure and decided to send Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi is an Israeli singer and entertainer.-Biography:Yardena Arazi was born on Kibbutz Kabri and grew up in Haifa. Arazi is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from France and Germany. She joined the Beit Rothschild group at 16 and became its lead vocalist. She did her military service in...

 to Eurovision in light of the achievements of previous competitions. Yardena Arazi performed four songs with selected the song "Ben Adam
Ben Adam
"Ben Adam" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed in Hebrew by Yardena Arazi. "Ben Adam" , beyond its literal meaning is used in Hebrew to describe a righteous person, someone who does the right thing...

". Kdam returned in 1989, with Gili & Galit with "Derekh Hamelekh
Derekh Hamelekh
"Derekh Hamelekh" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989, performed in Hebrew by Gili & Galit....

" but in 1990 Rita (actually Rita Kleinstein) was selected without competition one more time.

1990s

In 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996, the Kdam Eurovision competitions were held (in 1994 Israel did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest). The 1993
Eurovision Song Contest 1993
The Eurovision Song Contest 1993 was the 38th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 15 May 1993 in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. The presenter was Fionnuala Sweeney. Niamh Kavanagh was the winner of this Eurovision for Ireland with the song, "In Your Eyes"...

 Kdam was won by the band Sarah'le Sharon and The Shiru Group, a band formed especially for the competition. It finished 24th place in the Eurovision Song Contest itself. Due to the changed policies in the Eurovision Song Contest (brought about by many Eastern European countries joining the competition), 24th place prevented Israel from participating in Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenters were Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Gerry Ryan. The pair hosted the evening in French, English and Irish...

. In 1996
Eurovision Song Contest 1996
The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the 41st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 18 May 1996 in Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. The presenters were Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket. Harket, lead singer of a-ha, opened the show with a performance of his single "Heaven's Not For Saints". Eimear...

 Kdam was won by Galit Bell, an unknown singer at the time, whose song never managed to reach the Eurovision finals. This is because in that year the European Broadcasting Union
European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...

 reestablished an early selection process eliminating seven songs that they felt were the worst. The Israeli song "Hello World" was one of those seven.

In 1997
Eurovision Song Contest 1997
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd Eurovision Song Contest and it was held at the Point Theatre Dublin, Ireland, on 3 May 1997. Boyzone member Ronan Keating and Carrie Crowley were the presenters of the show....

, Eurovision was scheduled to take place on Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah
Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah , known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah and in English as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Holocaust Day, is observed as Israel's day of commemoration for the approximately six million Jews and five million others who perished in the...

. A few months earlier, the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...

 passed an amendment to postpone Holocaust Remembrance Day by a day if it fell on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath
Sabbath
Sabbath in Christianity is a weekly day of rest or religious observance, derived from the Biblical Sabbath.Seventh-day Sabbath observance, i.e. resting from labor from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, is practiced by seventh-day Sabbatarians...

. IBA tried to register for competition after the Knesset decision, but late registration meant Israel could not compete.

In 1998, IBA decided to select the song through a committee. That year, Israel went on to win with the song "Diva
Diva (song)
"Diva" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 performed in Hebrew by Dana International representing Israel. The music was composed by Tzvika Pick, and the lyrics by Yoav Ginai. It totalled 172 points in the polling.The song became the last entry entirely in a language other than...

" by Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

. The following year, in 1999
Eurovision Song Contest 1999
The Eurovision Song Contest 1999 was the 44th Eurovision Song Contest, held on 29 May 1999 in Jerusalem, Israel after Dana International won the contest the previous year in the United Kingdom. The venue for the contest was the International Convention Center...

 the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Jerusalem, with the Israeli entry "Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)
Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)
"Yom Huledet " was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, performed in Hebrew and English by Eden....

" by Eden
Eden (band)
Eden were an Israeli vocal group active between 1998 and 2001, consisting of Doren Oren, Rafael Dahan and brothers Gabriel and Eddie Butler. They are known primarily for their participation in the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest....

.

2000s

In 2000
Eurovision Song Contest 2000
The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 was the 45th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 13 May 2000 at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, following Charlotte Nilsson's victory in Jerusalem the previous year. It was the first time since 1996 that the contest was held on mainland Europe. The...

 IBA Authority's committee chose the song "Sameach
Sameach
"Sameyakh" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. It was performed in Hebrew by the pop band Ping-Pong, a quartet consisting of two males and two females , who had originally entered the contest as a joke...

" by PingPong
PingPong (band)
PingPong is an Israeli pop quartet that represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 with the song Sameach .The members of the band were: Guy Asif, Ahal Eden, Roy Arad and Yifat Giladi. The band released one album Between Moral and Fashion with songs like "Burger Ranch" , "I got a...

, a band consisting of two journalists Roy Arad
Roy Arad
Roy "Chicky" Arad is an Israeli poet, singer, script-writer and artist.-Poetry:Arad has published three books. In his first book, “The Nigger”, he formed a style that he called "Kimo" and defined as "a Hebrew adaptation of the Japanese Haiku": it consists of three lines of 10, 7, and 6 syllables...

 and Guy Asif, with girls Yifat Giladi and Tahal Aden. The selection process caused controversy after radio entertainer/writer Irit Linor, one of the committee members declared that she was disinterested. When Linor was asked whether she thought PingPong's singing stood a chance, Linor replied: "Who cares?". The band's performance was based mainly on provocative gimmicks with the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

 performed with cucumbers (as a metaphor for male genitalia). In addition, the lyrics were considered by many as being shallow, superficial and stupid. The PingPong band members also declared their intention to appear on stage in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...

, where they would raise the flags of Israel
Flag of Israel
The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishment. It depicts a blue Star of David on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes...

 and Syria
Flag of Syria
The flag of Syria was re-adopted in 1980. The flag was formerly the flag of the United Arab Republic.-History:The first modern flag of Syria was adopted in 1920, and was similar to the current flag of Jordan with the green and white colours reversed...

 (The song mentioned the words: "I have now a new friend from Damascus"; "I want to do it with him all day"). Opponents claimed to the band that Syria is an enemy state, hence raising the flag for the State of Israel is an embarrassment. Others said they were bothered with two controversial kisses, one between two men and one between two women. During the week before the Eurovision Song Contest, the band visited the Syrian community in Stockholm, to perform. The band eventually appeared on stage in Stockholm with the Israeli and Syrian flags. Israel finished 22nd out of 24 songs.

In 2001, Kdam returned for one more year picking Tal Sondak
Tal Sondak
Tal Sondak is an Israeli singer.His musical career started at the age of ten as a member of a boys choir. He received several first prizes at children's song festivals, most recently as a 15-year-old, where he won with a song that he had written himself.He has represented Israel at several music...

 who placed 16th with "En Davar
En Davar
"En Davar" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, performed in Hebrew by Tal Sondak....

". From 2002 to 2004, Israel chose Sarit Hadad
Sarit Hadad
Sarit Hadad is an acclaimed Israeli singer. She stems from a musician family with both origins in the Tunisia and Caucases...

, Lior Narkis
Lior Narkis
Lior Narkis is a male Israeli singer. He was born to a mixed Iraqi and Serbian Jewish family.-Music career:...

 and David D'Or
David D'Or
David D'Or is an Israeli singer, composer, and songwriter. A countertenor with a vocal range of more than four octaves, he is a three-time winner of the Israeli "Singer of the Year" and "Best Vocal Performer" awards. He was also chosen to represent Israel in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, at...

 in a selection procedure similar to the selection of Yardena Arazi in 1988.

The Kdam Eurovision competition took place again in 2005, and was won by Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon is an Israeli pop/R&B singer, TV show host and actress, who rose to fame as the runner-up in the TV show Kokhav Nolad. She represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.-Early life:...

. She came in fourth in the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
The Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was the 50th Eurovision Song Contest, which was held at the Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine. The winner was Greece's My Number One, written by Christos Dantis and Natalia Germanou and performed by Swedish-born Greek singer Elena Paparizou, who scored 230 points,...

 itself. In 2006, Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler is an Israeli singer. He was born in Dimona and is one of 11 brothers and sisters. His parents came to Israel from Chicago after long wanderings. They belong to the Black Hebrew Israelite community....

 won the Kdam. In 2007, Mordechai Shklar canceled the competition for budgetary reasons.

In 25–26 February 2008, Kdam Eurovision was broadcast, first by the Channel 2
Channel 2 (Israel)
Channel 2 is an Israeli commercial television channel.- History :In 1990, after 13 years of deliberations, the Knesset passed a law that paved the way for the establishment of commercial television in Israel. The goal was to enhance pluralism and create competition. Channel 2 began broadcasting on...

 concessionaire "Keshet
Keshet (TV)
Keshet Broadcasting or Keshet is a media group and leading television program maker licensed in Israel. Keshet operates under the auspices of the Second Israeli Broadcasting Authority . It is one of two operators that have run the main Israeli commercial television channel, Channel 2, since 1993,...

", in cooperation between the IBA and the Israeli reality television show "Kokhav Nolad
Kokhav Nolad
Kokhav Nolad is an Israeli reality television show searching for talented new vocalists based on the British Pop Idol and American Idol model. Since its debut on Israeli Channel 2 in 2003, Kokhav Nolad has achieved great popularity and turned out many new musical stars...

" modeled on the British Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...

and American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...

. The show had a pre-produced format in which the privately pre-selected artist (Boaz Mauda) presented 4 different songs in front of a panel of judges to by selection of the viewing public. The song "Ke'ilu Kan" was chosen. In 2009, Kdam Eurovision returned, to be produced by the IBA only. Noa
Achinoam Nini
Achinoam Nini , also known by her professional name, Noa, is a leading Israeli international concert and recording artist.-Career:...

 and Palestinian-origin Mira Awad
Mira Awad
Mīrā ’Anwar ‘Awaḍ is an Israeli Arab singer, actress, and songwriter.‘Awaḍ lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2009, she was chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest along with Jewish-Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, singing the song There Must Be Another Way. She was the first Arab to...

 were pre-selected as a duo and performed four songs "There Must Be Another Way" ("Einaiych" in Hebrew) was chosen. In 2010, Harel Skaat
Harel Skaat
Harel Skaat is an Israeli singer and songwriter. He represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Milim" ....

 was chosen by the IBA and upon presenting 4 songs, "Milim
Milim
"Milim" is a song composed by Tomer Adaddi with lyrics by Noam Horev that was recorded by the Israeli singer, Harel Skaat. The song was the Israeli song entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 where the Israeli entry finished 14th out of 39 countries despite being one of the favorites entering...

" was chosen.

In 2011, both the singer and the song were chosen by the public. IBA contacted various artists through their agents asking them to participate. The national final was broadcast on March 8, 2011 from the culture hall in Rishon LeZion. The winner was Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

 and her song "Ding Dong
Ding Dong (Dana International song)
"Ding Dong" is a pop song written and performed by Israeli singer Dana International. It won the Israeli Kdam Eurovision on March 8, 2011, represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany...

."

Zvika Pick

The Israeli artist that has appeared the most in Kdam Eurovision competitions is Zvika Pick. Pick took part seven times but never won. However a song he wrote won the Eurovision itself. "Diva
Diva (song)
"Diva" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 performed in Hebrew by Dana International representing Israel. The music was composed by Tzvika Pick, and the lyrics by Yoav Ginai. It totalled 172 points in the polling.The song became the last entry entirely in a language other than...

" was sung by Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

.

Yardena Arazi

Singer Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi is an Israeli singer and entertainer.-Biography:Yardena Arazi was born on Kibbutz Kabri and grew up in Haifa. Arazi is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from France and Germany. She joined the Beit Rothschild group at 16 and became its lead vocalist. She did her military service in...

 represented Israel three times at the Eurovision and hosted the Eurovision held in Jerusalem in 1979. Her first appearance in Kdam Eurovision Song Contest was in 1982 with the song "מוזיקה נשארת" (written by Shimrit Or and Henry Barter). She came in second. In 1983, she performed the song "שירו שיר אמן" also by Shimrit Or and Henry Barter, again coming second and just one point shy of the winning song. Years later Arazi revealed that there was an error in the vote counting, and that she was the true qualifier and not Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....

. Arazi did not challenge the decision because she did not want to be seen as a "sore loser". In 1984 Arazi was chosen to represent Israel without competition, but as the contest was held on Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron is Israel's official Memorial Day. In 2011, Israel honored the memory of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the civilian casualties too.-Observance:...

, she was forced to renounce her right when Israel withdrew that year. In 1985 Arazi participated for the third time in Kdam with the song "We'll get" written by Ehud Manor
Ehud Manor
Ehud Manor was an Israeli songwriter, translator, and radio and TV personality.-Career:Manor began working for Israel radio in the 1960s, as a musical editor...

 and Avi Toledano
Avi Toledano
Born in Meknes in Morocco April 4, 1948, Avraham Toledano is known to European audiences for his involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1982 he represented Israel in Harrogate, UK with the uptempo revivalist number Hora...

) and came in third. In 1987 she hosted the Kdam. In 1988 she was pre-selected performing 4 songs, with the song "Ben Adam
Ben Adam
"Ben Adam" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed in Hebrew by Yardena Arazi. "Ben Adam" , beyond its literal meaning is used in Hebrew to describe a righteous person, someone who does the right thing...

" winning first place, but finished seventh in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Avi Toledano

Singer and composer Avi Toledano
Avi Toledano
Born in Meknes in Morocco April 4, 1948, Avraham Toledano is known to European audiences for his involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1982 he represented Israel in Harrogate, UK with the uptempo revivalist number Hora...

  took part for the first time in 1981 with the song "Carnival". In 1982 he won with "Hora" and represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest where he was runner-up. Both were his own compositions. In 1983 he composed the song "Hi" by Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....

 that finished as runner-up at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1985 he wrote Yardena Arazi's song. In 1986 he won third place. In 1989 he returned as composer and performer finishing second. In 1991 he composed the song "Hava Nagila Discovered" sung by Uri Feynman.

Other prominent singers competing at Kdam Eurovision:
  • Yigal Bashan  (1981, 1982, 1985)
  • Leah Lupatin (1981, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1995)
  • Shalva Berti (1985, 1992, 1995)
  • Doron Mazar (1985, 1986, 1993, 1996)
  • Zehava Ben
    Zehava Ben
    Zehava Ben is one of the most popular Israeli female vocalists in the Mizrahi music genre; the Middle Eastern-style of singing rising from Israel's Mizrahi Jewish population, dominating Israeli music in the 1990s and popular ever since.-Early life:...

     (1992, 2005)
  • Shlomo Gronich
    Shlomo Gronich
    Shlomo Gronich is a male Israeli composer, singer, songwriter, arranger, and choir conductor.- Biography :Shlomo Gronich grew up in a musical family in Hadera. He holds a B.A. in Music Education from Tel Aviv Educational Academy, and a B.A. in Composition from the Mannes School of Music, New York...

     (1981, 2006)
  • Daphna Armoni (1981, 2001)
  • Sarit Hadad
    Sarit Hadad
    Sarit Hadad is an acclaimed Israeli singer. She stems from a musician family with both origins in the Tunisia and Caucases...

     twice
  • Etti Ankri
    Etti Ankri
    Esther "Etti" Ankri is an Israeli singer-songwriter. She is a former Female Singer of the Year in Israel, and has also performed in the United States, England, and India. Ankri has been called a "rock genius", the "poet of Israeli spirituality," and "the contemporary voice of.....

    , Riki Gal (1983), Corinne Elal (1985), Rita (1986), Boaz Sharabi
    Boaz Sharabi
    Boaz Sharabi is an Israeli singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist, crooner, pianist, actor, tenor, chazan and lyricist, well-known for such integral Israeli classics as Latet, Halevai, At Li Laila, Pamela, Lashir Itach, Kol Od, Mi Yada Shekach Yihiyeh, K'Shetavo , Im At Adain Ohevet Oti and Etzli...

     (1986), David D'or
    David D'Or
    David D'Or is an Israeli singer, composer, and songwriter. A countertenor with a vocal range of more than four octaves, he is a three-time winner of the Israeli "Singer of the Year" and "Best Vocal Performer" awards. He was also chosen to represent Israel in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, at...

     (1993) have won once.
  • Ilana Avital appeared four times at Kdam Eurovision, but did not make it to Eurovision stage.

Contestants

Year Artist Title Selection Process Kdam Host Final Position Points
1973
Eurovision Song Contest 1973
The Eurovision Song Contest 1973 was the eighteenth Eurovision Song Contest and was held in Luxembourg. The language rule forcing countries to enter songs sung in any of their national languages was dropped, so performers from some countries sang in English....

Ilanit
Ilanit
Ilanit is a female Israeli singer who represented her country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1953 the family moved to Brazil and returned to Israel in 1960....

"Ey Sham
Ey Sham
"Ey Sham" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973, performed in Hebrew by Ilanit....

"
(אי שם)
Internal selection by IBA
Israel Broadcasting Authority
Israel Broadcasting Authority is Israel's state broadcasting network.It grew out of the radio station Kol Yisrael, which made its first broadcast as an independent station on . The name of the organisation operating Kol Yisrael was changed to Israel Broadcasting Service in 1951...

 committee
4 97
1974
Eurovision Song Contest 1974
The Eurovision Song Contest 1974 was the 19th Eurovision Song Contest. It was held in the seaside resort of Brighton on the south coast of the United Kingdom...

Kaveret
Kaveret
Kaveret , also known as Poogy , was an Israeli rock band in the mid-1970s that won much fame around the world for their often humorous songs and unique style of music. Their shows included many skits, among which are the Sipurey Poogy...

"Natati La Khayay
Natati La Khayay
"Natati La Khayay" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, performed in Hebrew by Kaveret ....

"
(נתתי לה חיי)
Internal selection by IBA committee 7 11
1975
Eurovision Song Contest 1975
The Eurovision Song Contest 1975 was the 20th edition of the contest hosted by SR and held in Stockholm, Sweden. The arena for the event was the newly built Stockholm International Fairs in Älvsjö in southern Stockholm. ABBA's victory in Brighton the previous year gave Sweden the right to host the...

Shlomo Artzi
Shlomo Artzi
Shlomo Artzi is an Israeli folk rock singer-songwriter, and composer.He was born on November 26, 1949, in Moshav Alonei Abba. In the course of his career, he has sold over 1.5 million albums, making him one of Israel's most successful male singers....

"At Va'Ani
At Va'Ani
"At Va'Ani" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975, performed in Hebrew by Shlomo Artzi....

"
(את ואני)
Internal selection by IBA committee 11 40
1976
Eurovision Song Contest 1976
The Eurovision Song Contest 1976, the 21st in the series, was held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 3 April 1976. With Corry Brokken as the presenter – the first time a previous winner of the contest had played hostess – the contest was won by Brotherhood of Man, representing the United...

Chocolat, Menta, Mastik
Chocolat, Menta, Mastik
Chocolat, Menta, Mastik was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the 1970s, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria or Leah Lupatin. All the girls served in the IDF as part of the Nahal Ensemble...

"Emor Shalom
Emor Shalom
"Emor Shalom" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in Hebrew by Chocolat, Menta, Mastik. The singing trio consisted of three young girls, serving formerly in IDF. They were Rutti Holtzman, Lea Lupatin and Yardena Arazi...

"
(אמור שלום)
Artists chosen by committee,
Winning song selected on program
6 77
1977
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was the 22nd edition series, and was held on 7 May 1977 in London. With Angela Rippon as the presenter, the contest was won by Marie Myriam who represented France, with her song "L'oiseau et l'enfant" . This was France's fifth victory, a record, which was equalled...

Ilanit
Ilanit
Ilanit is a female Israeli singer who represented her country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1953 the family moved to Brazil and returned to Israel in 1960....

"Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim
Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim
Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed in Hebrew by Ilanit.The song is a love ballad, with Ilanit singing to her lover that "your song is my song"...

"
(אהבה היא שיר לשניים)
Internal selection by IBA committee 11 49
1978
Eurovision Song Contest 1978
The Eurovision Song Contest 1978 was the 23rd of its kind, and was held on 22 April 1978 in Paris. With Denise Fabre and Léon Zitrone as the presenters - the first time more than one presenter hosted the contest - the contest was won by Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta who represented Israel, with their...

Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen is an Israeli singer and actor.Representing Israel, he won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Alphabeta performing "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" with music by Nurit Hirsh and words by Ehud Manor...

 
& the Alphabeta
Alphabeta
Alphabeta were a group of Israeli singers who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1978 with Izhar Cohen.The group consisted of Reuven Erez, Lisa Gold-Rubin, Nehama Shutan, Ester Tzuberi, and Itzhak Okev.The winning song was called A-Ba-Ni-Bi....

"A-Ba-Ni-Bi
A-Ba-Ni-Bi
"A-Ba-Ni-Bi" was the winning song in the Eurovision Song Contest 1978, performed for Israel by Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta....

"
(א-ב-ני-בי)
Won "Festival Ha'zemer Ve Ha'pizmon" 1978 Rivka Michaeli
Rivka Michaeli
Rivka Michaeli is an Israeli actress, comedienne, television hostess, and entertainer.-Career:By age 14, she was singing on Israel Radio. Michaeli performed her military duties at the Army Radio. In the 1960s, her first show on stage was with Yossi Banai...

1 157
1979
Eurovision Song Contest 1979
The Eurovision Song Contest 1979 was the 24th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 31 March 1979 in Jerusalem, Israel. The presenters were Daniel Pe'er and Yardena Arazi, and the event was staged at the International Convention Center. Representing Israel, Gali Atari and Milk and Honey were the...

Gali Atari
Gali Atari
Avigail "Gali" Atari is an Israeli actress and singer.-Career:She first appeared on the international scene in 1971, when she represented Israel at the World Popular Song Festival in Japan with the songs "All free" and "Give love away"...

 
& Milk and Honey
Milk and Honey (group)
Milk and Honey was an Israeli singing group consisting of Re'uven Gvitrz, Shmulik Bilu and Yehuda Tamir. The group performed with Gali Atari at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979, where they won with the song, "Hallelujah". Their track peaked in the UK Singles Chart at #5 in April 1979. They made...

"Hallelujah"
(הללויה)
Won "Festival Ha'zemer Ve Ha'pizmon" 1979 Rivka Michaeli 1 125
1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...

Did not participate
1981
Eurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...

Hakol Over Habibi
Hakol Over Habibi
Hakol Over Habibi was an Israeli musical band which represented their country in Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Halayla". The band consisted of: Shlomit Aharon, Kikki Rotstein, Yuval Dor and Ami Mendelman. They had originally been offered the song "Hallelujah" as a potential Eurovision...

"Halayla
Halayla
Halayla , listed as Halaylah in the official Eurovision website, was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, performed in Hebrew by Hakol Over Habibi....

"
(הלילה)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1981 Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er (Hebrew: דניאל פאר (Tel Aviv, 2 January 1943) is an Israeli television host and Newsreader.In 1979 Pe'er hosted the twenty fourth Eurovision Song Contest held in the Israeli capital Jerusalem alongside Yardena Arazi...

7 56
1982
Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...

Avi Toledano
Avi Toledano
Born in Meknes in Morocco April 4, 1948, Avraham Toledano is known to European audiences for his involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1982 he represented Israel in Harrogate, UK with the uptempo revivalist number Hora...

"Hora
Hora (song)
"Hora" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed in Hebrew by Avi Toledano....

"
(הורה)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1982 Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er (Hebrew: דניאל פאר (Tel Aviv, 2 January 1943) is an Israeli television host and Newsreader.In 1979 Pe'er hosted the twenty fourth Eurovision Song Contest held in the Israeli capital Jerusalem alongside Yardena Arazi...

2 100
1983
Eurovision Song Contest 1983
The Eurovision Song Contest 1983, the 28th in the series, was held in Munich, then West Germany, on 23 April 1983. The presenter was Marlene Charell. Corinne Hermes was the winner of this Eurovision with the song, "Si la vie est cadeau". This was Luxembourg's fifth victory in the contest which...

Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza
Ofra Haza was an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin, an actress and international recording artist....

"Khay
Khay
"Hi" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1983, performed in Hebrew by Ofra Haza. The song title was transliterated at the contest as "Hi", and has also been credited in other media as "Khay", "Jai" and "Hay."The song is a moderately up-tempo number, opening with two uncredited...

"
(חי)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1983 Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er (Hebrew: דניאל פאר (Tel Aviv, 2 January 1943) is an Israeli television host and Newsreader.In 1979 Pe'er hosted the twenty fourth Eurovision Song Contest held in the Israeli capital Jerusalem alongside Yardena Arazi...

 & Dalia Mazor
2 136
1984
Eurovision Song Contest 1984
The Eurovision Song Contest 1984 was the 29th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 5 May 1984 in Luxembourg. The presenter was Désirée Nosbusch. Nosbusch, only 19 years old at the time, hosted the show in a lax manner, which was quite unusual for this show back then...

Did not participate
1985
Eurovision Song Contest 1985
The Eurovision Song Contest 1985 was the 30th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 May 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The presenter was Lill Lindfors, and Norwegian duo Bobbysocks! was the winner of this Eurovision with the song "La det swinge"....

Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen
Izhar Cohen is an Israeli singer and actor.Representing Israel, he won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with the group Alphabeta performing "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" with music by Nurit Hirsh and words by Ehud Manor...

"Olé, Olé
Olé, Olé
"Olé, Olé" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1985, performed in Hebrew by Izhar Cohen. This was Cohen's second participation, in 1978 he and the group Alphabeta had won the Contest with "A-Ba-Ni-Bi"....

"
(עולה, עולה)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1985 Dalia Mazor & Nathan Dattner 5 93
1986
Eurovision Song Contest 1986
The Eurovision Song Contest 1986 was the 31st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 3 May 1986 in the Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. It was the first occasion on which Norway played host to the contest...

Moti Giladi & Sarai Tzuriel "Yavo Yom
Yavo Yom
"Yavo Yom" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, performed in Hebrew by Moti Giladi & Sarai Tzuriel....

"
(יבוא יום)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1986
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986
Israel was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, held in Bergen, Norway.-Kdam Eurovision 1986:The Israeli national final to select their entry was held on 27 March at the Jerusalem center for the performing arts in Jerusalem, and was hosted by Daniel Pe'er and Rivka Michaeli...

Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er
Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er Daniel Pe'er (Hebrew: דניאל פאר (Tel Aviv, 2 January 1943) is an Israeli television host and Newsreader.In 1979 Pe'er hosted the twenty fourth Eurovision Song Contest held in the Israeli capital Jerusalem alongside Yardena Arazi...

 & Rivka Michaeli
19 7
1987
Eurovision Song Contest 1987
The Eurovision Song Contest 1987 was the 32nd Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 9 May 1987 in Brussels, Belgium after Sandra Kim's win the previous year. The presenter was Viktor Lazlo. Johnny Logan was the winner for Ireland with the song "Hold Me Now"...

Datner & Kushnir "Shir Habatlanim
Shir Habatlanim
"Shir Habatlanim" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987. It was performed in Hebrew by the comedic duo Datner & Kushnir and came 8th, scoring 73 points...

"
(שיר הבטלנים)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1987 Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi is an Israeli singer and entertainer.-Biography:Yardena Arazi was born on Kibbutz Kabri and grew up in Haifa. Arazi is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from France and Germany. She joined the Beit Rothschild group at 16 and became its lead vocalist. She did her military service in...

 & Yoram Arbel
8 73
1988
Eurovision Song Contest 1988
The Eurovision Song Contest 1988 was the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1988 in Dublin. The presenters were Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca...

Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi
Yardena Arazi is an Israeli singer and entertainer.-Biography:Yardena Arazi was born on Kibbutz Kabri and grew up in Haifa. Arazi is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from France and Germany. She joined the Beit Rothschild group at 16 and became its lead vocalist. She did her military service in...

"Ben Adam
Ben Adam
"Ben Adam" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, performed in Hebrew by Yardena Arazi. "Ben Adam" , beyond its literal meaning is used in Hebrew to describe a righteous person, someone who does the right thing...

"
(בן אדם)
Artist chosen by IBA committee,
Winning song selected on program
Rivka Michaeli 7 85
1989
Eurovision Song Contest 1989
The Eurovision Song Contest 1989 was the 34th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 6 May 1989 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Switzerland gained the hosting rights after Celine Dion's victory in Dublin the previous year. The presenters were Lolita Morena and Jacques Deschenaux. Riva was the winner of...

Gili & Galit "Derekh Hamelekh
Derekh Hamelekh
"Derekh Hamelekh" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989, performed in Hebrew by Gili & Galit....

"
(דרך המלך)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1989 Shirah Gerah & Moshe Becker 12 50
1990
Eurovision Song Contest 1990
The Eurovision Song Contest 1990, the 35th in the series, was held in Zagreb, Yugoslavia on 5 May 1990. The presenters were Helga Vlahović Brnobić and Oliver Mlakar. Toto Cutugno was the winner of this contest with the song "Insieme: 1992"...

Rita
Rita Kleinstein
Rita Yahan-Farouz is an Iranian-born Israeli pop singer and actress.-Early life:Rita Yahan-Farouz was born in Tehran, Iran. Her family emigrated to Israel in 1970.-Musical and acting career:-1980s:...

"Shara Barkhovot
Shara Barkhovot
"Shara Barkhovot" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990, performed in Hebrew by Rita....

"
(שרה ברחובות)
Internal selection by IBA committee 18 16
1991
Eurovision Song Contest 1991
The Eurovision Song Contest 1991 was the 36th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 May 1991 in Rome. Due to the Gulf War and mounting tensions in Yugoslavia, RAI decided to move the contest from Sanremo to Rome, which was perceived to be more secure....

Duo Datz
Duo Datz
Duo Datz is the common English name for the duo made up of Orna and Moshe Datz....

"Kan
Kan (song)
"Kan" , was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991, performed in Hebrew by Duo Datz. Its lyrics and melody were written by Israeli songwriter Uzi Hitman....

"
(כאן)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1991
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991
Israel was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 1991, held in Rome, Italy.The Israeli broadcaster IBA continued to use a national final to select their entry...

Shirah Gerah & Danny Roup 3 139
1992
Eurovision Song Contest 1992
The Eurovision Song Contest 1992 was the 37th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 9 May 1992 in Malmö, Sweden. The presenters were Lydia Cappolicchio and Harald Treutiger. Linda Martin, representing Ireland, was the winner of this Eurovision with the song Why Me?. The song was written by Johnny...

Dafna Dekel
Dafna Dekel
Dafna Dekel is an Israeli singer, actress and television personality.-Biography:Dafna Dekel was discovered while serving in the Nahal entertainment troupe of the Israel Defense Forces in 1985-1986. After her release from the army, Dekel was cast in the Israeli musical Salah Shabati produced in...

"Ze Rak Sport
Ze Rak Sport
"Ze Rak Sport" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992, performed in Hebrew by Dafna Dekel....

"
(זה רק ספורט)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1992
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992
Israel entered the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 with the song "Ze Rak Sport" by Dafna Dekel after she won the Israeli national final.-Kdam Eurovision 1992:...

Roni Yovel & Noam Aviram 6 85
1993
Eurovision Song Contest 1993
The Eurovision Song Contest 1993 was the 38th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 15 May 1993 in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. The presenter was Fionnuala Sweeney. Niamh Kavanagh was the winner of this Eurovision for Ireland with the song, "In Your Eyes"...

Sarah'le Sharon 
& The Shiru Group
The Shiru Group
The Shiru Group was the Israeli band that represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 held in Millstreet, Ireland. They performed the song "Shiru" with Sarah'le Sharon. They finished in 24th place with a total of 4 points. The group consisted of Benny Nadler, Guy Bracha, Julia Proiter...

"Shiru
Shiru
"Shiru" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993, performed in Hebrew and English by Sarah'le Sharon & The Shiru Group....

"
(שירו)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1993 Nathan Dattner 24 4
1994
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenters were Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Gerry Ryan. The pair hosted the evening in French, English and Irish...

Failed to qualify
1995
Eurovision Song Contest 1995
The Eurovision Song Contest 1995 was the 40th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 13 May 1995 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenter was Mary Kennedy. This contest broke the chain of victories that Ireland enjoyed in 1992, 1993, and 1994...

Liora "Amen"
(אמן)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1995 Aki Avni
Aki Avni
Aki Avni is an Israeli actor, entertainer and television host. He appeared in the movie Free Zone with Natalie Portman. He also played the character Mohsen in the second season of the television series 24....

 & Michaela Bercu
Michaela Bercu
Michaela Bercu is a Romanian-Israeli model and actress. She grew up in Bucarest, Romania with her parents and now she's living in Paris with her husband and her children. She is represented by Elite...

8 81
1996
Eurovision Song Contest 1996
The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the 41st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 18 May 1996 in Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. The presenters were Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket. Harket, lead singer of a-ha, opened the show with a performance of his single "Heaven's Not For Saints". Eimear...

Galit Bell Hello World
(שלום עולם)
Won Kdam Eurovision 1996 Ron Lowenthal and Tal Man Failed to qualify
1997
Eurovision Song Contest 1997
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd Eurovision Song Contest and it was held at the Point Theatre Dublin, Ireland, on 3 May 1997. Boyzone member Ronan Keating and Carrie Crowley were the presenters of the show....

Did not participate
1998
Eurovision Song Contest 1998
The Eurovision Song Contest 1998 was the 43rd Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 9 May 1998 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The presenters were Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson...

Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

"Diva
Diva (song)
"Diva" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 performed in Hebrew by Dana International representing Israel. The music was composed by Tzvika Pick, and the lyrics by Yoav Ginai. It totalled 172 points in the polling.The song became the last entry entirely in a language other than...

"
(דיווה)
Internal selection by IBA committee 1 172
1999
Eurovision Song Contest 1999
The Eurovision Song Contest 1999 was the 44th Eurovision Song Contest, held on 29 May 1999 in Jerusalem, Israel after Dana International won the contest the previous year in the United Kingdom. The venue for the contest was the International Convention Center...

Eden
Eden (band)
Eden were an Israeli vocal group active between 1998 and 2001, consisting of Doren Oren, Rafael Dahan and brothers Gabriel and Eddie Butler. They are known primarily for their participation in the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest....

"Yom Huledet
Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)
"Yom Huledet " was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, performed in Hebrew and English by Eden....

" (יום הולדת)
Internal selection by IBA committee 5 93
2000
Eurovision Song Contest 2000
The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 was the 45th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 13 May 2000 at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, following Charlotte Nilsson's victory in Jerusalem the previous year. It was the first time since 1996 that the contest was held on mainland Europe. The...

PingPong
PingPong (band)
PingPong is an Israeli pop quartet that represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 with the song Sameach .The members of the band were: Guy Asif, Ahal Eden, Roy Arad and Yifat Giladi. The band released one album Between Moral and Fashion with songs like "Burger Ranch" , "I got a...

"Sameyakh
Sameach
"Sameyakh" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. It was performed in Hebrew by the pop band Ping-Pong, a quartet consisting of two males and two females , who had originally entered the contest as a joke...

" (שמח)
Internal selection by IBA committee
See: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999
For the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, Israel entered "Yom huledut ", performed by Eden. Despite winning the 1998 Contest, the song selection was held internally, so no details about the selection process are known....

22 7
2001
Eurovision Song Contest 2001
The Eurovision Song Contest 2001 was the 46th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 12 May 2001 in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the first time in 36 years that Denmark hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, thanks to the Olsen Brothers' win the previous year in Stockholm...

Tal Sondak
Tal Sondak
Tal Sondak is an Israeli singer.His musical career started at the age of ten as a member of a boys choir. He received several first prizes at children's song festivals, most recently as a 15-year-old, where he won with a song that he had written himself.He has represented Israel at several music...

"En Davar
En Davar
"En Davar" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, performed in Hebrew by Tal Sondak....

" (אין דבר)
Won Kdam Eurovision 2001 Orna & Moshe Datz
Duo Datz
Duo Datz is the common English name for the duo made up of Orna and Moshe Datz....

16 25
2002
Eurovision Song Contest 2002
The Eurovision Song Contest 2002 was the 47th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place on 25 May 2002 at the Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....

Sarit Hadad
Sarit Hadad
Sarit Hadad is an acclaimed Israeli singer. She stems from a musician family with both origins in the Tunisia and Caucases...

"Nadlik Beyakhad Ner
Nadlik Beyakhad Ner (Light A Candle)
"Nadlik Beyakhad Ner " was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, performed in Hebrew and English by Sarit Hadad....

"
(נדליק ביחד נר)
Internal selection by IBA committee 12 37
2003
Eurovision Song Contest 2003
The Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the forty-eighth Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Skonto Hall in Riga, Latvia on 24 May 2003. The hosts were Marie N and Renārs Kaupers. Sertab Erener, the Turkish entrant, won the contest with "Everyway That I Can", scoring 167 points. The winning...

Lior Narkis
Lior Narkis
Lior Narkis is a male Israeli singer. He was born to a mixed Iraqi and Serbian Jewish family.-Music career:...

"Milim La'Ahava
Milim La'Ahava (Words For Love)
"Words for Love" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, performed in Hebrew and English by Lior Narkis....

"
(מילים לאהבה)
Narkis chosen by IBA committee,
best of 4 songs chosen on
Kdam Eurovision 2003
Eden Harel
Eden Harel
Eden Harel is an actress and TV host from Israel. She was an MTV Europe VJ during the 1990s.-Early life:Harel was born Adva Harel in Eilat. growing up she went to the boarding school of 'WIZO Hadasim'...

19 17

Year Artist Title Selection Process Kdam Host Semi Points Final Points
2004
Eurovision Song Contest 2004
The Eurovision Song Contest 2004, was the 49th Contest and it was held in the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. This was the first occasion in which the contest was held in Turkey after they had won the competition in 2003 with Sertab Erener singing "Everyway That I Can"...

David D'Or
David D'Or
David D'Or is an Israeli singer, composer, and songwriter. A countertenor with a vocal range of more than four octaves, he is a three-time winner of the Israeli "Singer of the Year" and "Best Vocal Performer" awards. He was also chosen to represent Israel in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, at...

"Leha'amin
Leha'Amin
"Leha'amin" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, performed in Hebrew and English by David D'Or....

"
(להאמין)
Selection held during program "Israel Selects a Song" without holding Kdam Eurovision
See: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Israel was represented in the Eurovision by David D'Or who sang the bilingual English / Hebrew song "Leha'amin"...

11 57 Did not qualify
2005
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
The Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was the 50th Eurovision Song Contest, which was held at the Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine. The winner was Greece's My Number One, written by Christos Dantis and Natalia Germanou and performed by Swedish-born Greek singer Elena Paparizou, who scored 230 points,...

Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon is an Israeli pop/R&B singer, TV show host and actress, who rose to fame as the runner-up in the TV show Kokhav Nolad. She represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.-Early life:...

"Hasheket Shenish'ar
Hasheket Shenish'ar
"HaSheket SheNish'ar" was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, performed in Hebrew and English by Shiri Maimon. The song was written by Eyal Shahar and Pini Aharonbayev and Ben Green....

"
(השקט שנשאר)
Won Kdam Eurovision 2005
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Israel was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 by Shiri Maimon's and the song "Hasheket Shenish'ar" .-Kdam Eurovision 2005:...

Yael Bar Zohar
Yael Bar Zohar
Yael Bar Zohar is an Israeli actress, model and television host.-Biography:Bar Zohar was born in Tel Aviv. She started her modeling career in a bathing suits catalogue and a commercial at the age of 15. She was cast for a role in the popular soap opera Ramat Aviv Gimmel . She then turned to...

 
& Eden Harel
Eden Harel
Eden Harel is an actress and TV host from Israel. She was an MTV Europe VJ during the 1990s.-Early life:Harel was born Adva Harel in Eilat. growing up she went to the boarding school of 'WIZO Hadasim'...

7 158 4 154
2006
Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece on 18 May and 20 May 2006 . The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi . The Finnish band Lordi won the contest with the song "Hard Rock...

Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler is an Israeli singer. He was born in Dimona and is one of 11 brothers and sisters. His parents came to Israel from Chicago after long wanderings. They belong to the Black Hebrew Israelite community....

"Ze Hazman"
(זה הזמן)
Won Kdam Eurovision 2006
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Israel’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was by Eddie Butler, who had previously represented Israel in the 1999 European Song Contest...

Yael Bar Zohar
& Eden Harel
Automatic qualification 23 4
2007
Eurovision Song Contest 2007
The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by first-time appearance as an independent country Serbia and was held at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland from 10 May to 12 May. The host broadcaster was YLE.Finland earned the right to host...

Teapacks
Teapacks
Teapacks was an Israeli band that formed in 1988 in the southern Israeli city of Sderot. Originally the band was named after the correction fluid Tipp-Ex, but the name was then changed so as not to infringe on the well-known brand....

"Push the Button" Teapacks selected internally,
best song of 4 selected by committee
No Kdam Eurovision held.
See: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Israel's state broadcaster formed a committee of music experts to pick the artist to represent Israel. The committee selected Teapacks for Eurovision to be held in Helsinki....

24 17 Did not qualify
2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...

Boaz Mauda
Bo'az Ma'uda
Boaz Mauda is an Israeli singer and songwriter. He won the fifth season of Kokhav Nolad, the Israeli version of Pop Idol, and represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, finishing in 9th place....

"Ke'ilu Kan"
(כאילו כאן)
Bo'az selected internally,
best song of 5 selected on
Kdam Eurovision 2008
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
- Participant :On 14 February 2008, Israel's broadcaster decided to send Boaz Mauda to Belgrade.- Kdam Eurovision 2008:The following songs were sung by Boaz Mauda in two national finals on 25 and 26 February 2008...

Zvika Hadar
Zvika Hadar
-Biography:Zvi Fruchter was born in Beersheba, Israel, to Romanian Jewish family. As a child, he studied piano. Early in his career, he composed numbers for musicals.He first appeared on television as "Jojo" in Ha-Comedy Store...

5 104 9 124
2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....

Noa
Achinoam Nini
Achinoam Nini , also known by her professional name, Noa, is a leading Israeli international concert and recording artist.-Career:...

 & Mira Awad
Mira Awad
Mīrā ’Anwar ‘Awaḍ is an Israeli Arab singer, actress, and songwriter.‘Awaḍ lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2009, she was chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest along with Jewish-Israeli singer Achinoam Nini, singing the song There Must Be Another Way. She was the first Arab to...

"Einaiych"
(עינייך)
Noa & Mira selected internally,
best song of 4 selected on
Kdam Eurovision 2009
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Israel will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, as confirmed by the Israel Broadcasting Authority . After much deliberation at the IBA over who would be the Israeli representative, it was announced that Noa & Mira Awad will go to Moscow for Israel.In a national final, Kdam Eurovision...

Eden Harel 7 75 16 53
2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...

Harel Skaat
Harel Skaat
Harel Skaat is an Israeli singer and songwriter. He represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Milim" ....

"Milim
Milim
"Milim" is a song composed by Tomer Adaddi with lyrics by Noam Horev that was recorded by the Israeli singer, Harel Skaat. The song was the Israeli song entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 where the Israeli entry finished 14th out of 39 countries despite being one of the favorites entering...

"
(מילים)
Harel selected internally,
best song of 4 selected on
Kdam Eurovision 2010
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Israel participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, held in Oslo, Norway in May. The Israeli entry was performed by Harel Skaat, with the song decided by a televised national final, Kdam Eurovision, that was held in February 2010....

Ofer Shechter
Ofer Shechter
Ofer Shechter is an Israeli actor, entertainer, model and TV host.- Biography :Schechter was born and raised in Moshav Hadar Am. At the age of seven Schechter took part in a commercial for a watermelon Ice pop which was broadcast on Israeli TV...

8 71 14 71
2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...

Dana International
Dana International
Sharon Cohen , professionally known as Dana International is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever...

Ding Dong
Ding Dong (Dana International song)
"Ding Dong" is a pop song written and performed by Israeli singer Dana International. It won the Israeli Kdam Eurovision on March 8, 2011, represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany...

 
(דינג דונג)
Won Kdam Eurovision 2011
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany, selecting their entry through the national selection Kdam Eurovision, organised by the Channel 1 .-Kdam Eurovision 2011:...

Aki Avni
Aki Avni
Aki Avni is an Israeli actor, entertainer and television host. He appeared in the movie Free Zone with Natalie Portman. He also played the character Mohsen in the second season of the television series 24....

 and Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon
Shiri Maimon is an Israeli pop/R&B singer, TV show host and actress, who rose to fame as the runner-up in the TV show Kokhav Nolad. She represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.-Early life:...

15 36 Did not qualify

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK