User:Coin945/Kdam Eurovision

History of the Israeli song selection process

70's

In the early 70's, the singer Ilanit won the bid to represent Israel in Germany at that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Before then in 1963, Israeli singers represented other European countries instead of their home country, as this was before there were TV broadcasts in Israel. That year, Israel was simbolically represented by Esther Ofarim for Switzerland (with a song in French), and Carmela Corren for Austria. Regular television broadcasts began in May 1968. Ilanit Oamrgna and Shlomo Zach discovered by chance via the IBA that Israeli was entitled to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, since it a member of the European Broadcasting Union. Therefore, they turned to the broadcasting authority and asked that Ilanit be representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in Edinburgh in 1972. The broadcasting company responded, but registration was already closed to the competition, thus Israel's first participation was delayed by one year.

Thanks to this postponement, Israel began to compete in 1973. Ilanit was sent to Luxembourg, and brought to Israel a respectable achievement, fourth place. The Committee of the Broadcasting Authority was in charge of selecting the song. Ehud Manor and Nurit Hirsch wrote the chosen song, "Ey Sham". The song was written in Hebrew, even though that year countries didn’t 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 he was concerned of the “shmtzlol of words” being jarring to the ear of a European.

In later years, the operations committee continued to select the acts to be sent on behalf of Israel including the band Kaveret with "Natati La Khayay" (7th place), Shlomo Artzi with "At Va'Ani" (11th place), and the trio Chocolat, Menta, Mastik with "Emor Shalom" (6th place). In 1977 Israel sent back Ilanit, With "Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim" (11th place).

After the second time Ilanit represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, the method of voting was changed. In the next two years ( 1978 and 1979) Israel were winners in the Israeli song contest הזמר והפזמון (Festival chorus singer), as so were sent to compete internationally. In both cases the songs won first place at Eurovision - "A-Ba-Ni-Bi” by Izhar Cohen in 1978 and "Hallelujah by Milk and Honey in 1979. "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" was awarded the same number of points as the song in second place, "One Heart" by חדוה עמרני, but according to the regulations, Cohen was officially granted at being in first place.

In 1980 Israel won the right to host the 25th Eurovision contest, but the Israeli budget was not large enough to host two consecutive contests (Ireland being the only country to successfully host more than one contest in a row). The competition that year took place at The Hague in the Netherlands, and was set to Yom Hazikaron, forcing Israel to cancel its participation.

That same year “פסטיבל הזמר והפזמון” was held, but the winning song ("Refrain" by the band האחים והאחיות) was not sent to The Hague.

80's

In 1981, it was decided to change the main objective of the פסטיבל הזמר והפזמון competition to focus on Israeli Eurovision song selection. Competition from 1981 to 1983 called "for Eurovision Song Contest", attributed to the Kdam Eurovision (or pre-Eurovision), the first competiton in its present form being held on 3 March 1981. In most years, except in 1987 competed pre - Eurovision place Festival chorus singer. In 1987 an attempt was made to unite the two races side by side. The thought behind the initiative was that Place to separate the songs intended to participate in an international competition And songs mainly domestic Israeli audience. Nevertheless, Festival song contest singer was not again after 1987.

The band Hakol Over Habibi won the competition in 1981, and left to represent Israel at the 26th Eurovision Contest in Dublin with the song "Halayla". Among the prominent Kdam songs that year were "Cinderella" by Sexta, "Hora" by Avi Toledano and "Estate I" by Yigal Bashan.

The 1984 Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg was again set on Memorial Yom Hazikaron and Israel, who chose the song "Bllika" by singer Ilanit (without the pre-Eurovision contest), had to cancel its participation.

Except for 1984, the Kdam Eurovision Song Contest was held continuously until 1987. Among the prominent artists in this period were Yardena Arazi, Avi Toledano, Ofra Haza, Svika Pick, Ilana Avital, Izhar Cohen, Doron Mazar, Trio הופה היי (Yigal Bashan, Uzi Hitman and Yonatan Miller), and ensembles Aizolirvend and להקת קסם. Most of these performers took part in the competition. The trio הופה הי was established specifically for the competition, reaching second place. Following the competition it became a successful touring band and continued to collaborate for a few more years before finally disbanding.

In 1988 the IBA decided to send Yardena Arazi to Eurovision without the Kdam competitions, in light of the achievements of Arazi's previous competitions, and consequently the authority's desire to cut costs on the Kdam competition organization. This was a similar pattern to the British competition "Song For Europe" Some change, performed four songs Yardena Arazi Special performance, which selected the song "Man".

In 1989 Israel returned to Kdam, but in 1990 selected Rita as the representative of Israel, without the competition.

90's

Between 1991 and 1996, the Kdam Eurovision competitions were held regularly, except during the years when Israel did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. Results in 1993 and 1996 were particularly disappointing. In 1993 Kdam was won by the band "Shiru" (with soloist Sarah Le Sharon), a band formed especially for thr competition. This act however only managed to reach 24th place in the Eurovision Song Contest itself. Due to the changed policies in the Eurovision Song Contest (brought about by the Eastern European countries joining the competition), the low position prevented Israel from participating in Eurovision Song Contest 1994. In 1996 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 reestablished an early selection process for deciding Israel's song choices, which involved a special committee filtering out the seven songs that they felt were the worst. It was one of these seven songs that was sent on behalf of Israel that year.

In 1997, Eurovision was supposed to take place on Yom HaShoah. A few months before, the Knesset had passed an amendment, that meant that if the Holocaust Remembrance Day landed on Saturday, it longer applyed so as to prevent desecration of the Sabbath, and instead would be postponed by one day. IBA tried to register for competition, but it turned out that the late registration meant Israel couln't compete, and the list of participating countries was already completed.

After an absence of two years from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest, IBA decided in 1998 to select the song through a committee. This method brought success. At the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, Israel won with the song "Diva" by Dana International and the following year in 1999 (which took place in Jerusalem), Israel came fifth place with Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday) by Eden.

2000 onwards

In 2000 Authority's committee chose to broadcast the song "Sameach" by PingPong, a band consisting of two journalists named Roy Arad and Guy Asif, along with the girls Yifat Giladi and Tahal Aden. The selection process caused unrest among Eurovision fans in Israel, after one of the committee members' radio entertainer/writer Irit Linor declared that "representative of Israel Eurovision Song Contest did not interest me, I got for lunch". When Linor was asked whether she thought Ping Pong's singing stood a chance, Linor replied: "Who cares?".

The band's performance was based mainly on provocative gimmicks. In the music video of the song the band performed with cucumbers (as a metaphor for male genitalia). In addition, the lyrics were considered by many as being shallow, superficial and stupid. The Ping Pong band members also declared their intention to appear on stage in Stockholm, where they would raise the flags of Israel and Syria (The song mentioned the words: "I am now a new member of 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.

Band supporters also argued that to have lots of "תרבות שינקין", as defined, there is room to represent Israel. More supporters claimed that opponents of the band are content with that freedom of expression (raising Syrian flags), and that what really bothers them are the two controversial kisses, one between two men and one between two women.

During the week before the Eurovision Song Contest, the band managed to visit the Syrian community in Stockholm, and make the "happy" version of Arabic culture "cool". The band eventually appeared on stage in Stockholm with the flags of Israel and Syria, but the two men kissing onstage and the use of cucumbers was absent at the live performance. It was enough for Israel to get 22nd (out of 24 songs).

Failure in 2000 resulted in the renewal of Kdam in 2001, but for only one year, as the winner Tal Sondak placed badly in the Eurovision competition at 16th.

From 2002-2004 Israel chose famous artists, appointing them as the representatives of Israel, using a similar procedure to what was used to select Yardena Arazi in 1988.

The Kdam Eurovision competition only took place again in 2005, and was won by Shiri Maimon (who came in fourth place in the Eurovision Song Contest itself). The competition was held again in 2006 but again revoked in 2007 by a decision from the new IBA director general Mordechai Shklar. In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth ("Shabbat supplement" 8/12/2006), Shklar explained his decision was due to him wanting to change the Authority's priorities and allocate the financial organization of the competition for other purposes.

On 25 and 26 February 2008 Kdam Eurovision was broadcast, first by the Channel 2 concessionaire "Keshet", once it had decided on cooperation between IBA to produce "Kokhav Nolad" in light of the success of Shiri Maimon's mature program and failures of IBA representatives elsewhere. The show had a pre-produced format in which the privatly pre-selected artist (Boaz Mauda) presented a number of different songs in front of a panel of judges to be selected by the crowd (when judges "Kokhav Nolad" the various productions are large percentage of them).

In 2009, Kdam Eurovision returned, to be produced by the IBA only.

Prominent singers in performances

Zvika Pick

The artist to have appeared in the most "Kdam Eurovision" competitions is Zvika Pick. Pick attended no less than seven times in the competition, but did not win any of them. Actually on 1998, when Kdam-Eurovision took place (but a committee chose the Israeli song), Pick won Eurovision himself, being the composer of the song "Diva" (sung by the winner that year, singer Dana International). Pick's first participation in פסטיבל הזמר והפזמון was in תשל"ט) 1979), with the song "I have no one else", which was two points away from the song that won first place. In 1982 Pick perfomed "Rumtika" (Sixth place), in 1986 he performed "Every Night" (Seventh place), in 1987 with "Domino" (Tenth place), in 1993 with "Popsicle Popsicle" (Seventh place), in 2005 with "Moonlight" (Third place, as part of the enselble "Zvika Pick and friends"), and in 2006 with "A Separate" (Fourth place).

Yardena Arazi

Singer Yardena Arazi is identified especially with the competition, among others due to the fact that she appeared three times at Eurovision (more than any other Israeli). In 1976 she represented Israel in the trio Shokolad Menta Mastik - selected without the Kdam song contest. Later, in 1979 she directed the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Jerusalem. Her first appearance in Kdam Eurovision Song Contest was in 1982 with the song "מוזיקה נשארת" (Written by Shamrit Or and Henry Barter), which came in second place. A year later in 1983, she performed the song "שירו שיר אמן" (also written by Shamrit Or and Henry Barter), which came in second place only within one point of winning song. Years later Arazi said in an interview for the documentary series "הרצל פינת רפאלי", the producer of Kdam told her later that evening that there was a mistake in the voting, and that she was supposed to win first place and not Ofra Haza, but Arazi has chosen not to publish it in order not to be publicly viewed as a "sore loser", while Ofra Haza was sent to another competition held in Germany with the song "חי (Alive)", which won second place. In 1984 she was chosen to represent Israel without the competition, but as the contest was held on Yom Hazikaron, she was forced to renounce her right when Israel didn't enter that year. In 1985 participated for the third time pre Eurovision with the song "we'll get" (Ehud Manor /Avi Toledano) came in third place. In 1987 directed the pre-Eurovision Song Contest next Yoram Arbel in 1988 television set pre Eurovision details Arazi, the first time in Israel, which introduced the songs "like the beginning" (Yoav Ginai / Yaron Bachar), " Near the sea "(Rachel Shapiro / Yair Klinger)," she dances "(Ehud Manor / Kobi visa) and" estate person "(Ehud Manor / Boris Dimitstein) won first place in the Eurovision Song Contest and reached number seven itself.

Pearl Brick singer participated in six tournaments as part of pre-Eurovision Different bands: "white pepper" (Salaam aleikum, 1978), "Sexta" (I was born for peace in 1979, Cinderella 1981, the Leo, 1982) and a quarter note Red "(He's coming in 1985, has 1986).

Izhar Cohen is the only singer who was sent twice on the Eurovision Song Contest - Winning basis In front (although there were occasions when artists were more than One by a decision of the committee) - Festival with singer Tsl"h -1978 "Avnibi" (first place in Eurovision Song Contest 1978) and "Pre-Eurovision" 1985 with the "rising costs" (place Thursday at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985). Cohen Was supposed to deal with the song "rising costs" in Festival in 1984, But fresh whole impresario estimated from singing there is a chance to reach the Eurovision Song Contest, and Justice assessment. Removal participation in exchange, promised Cohen producer Festival, Mickey Peled, to take part in its summer productions. Cohen appeared more Blood three times at the Eurovision Song Contest "- in - 1982 with" the light "(place Seventh), on - 1987 (a duet with his sister, Verdina Cohen) with Music is Kiss Forever" (fifth place) and - 1996 (a duet with Singer Alon Jean, ran alone in the pre - 2001) with "Two thousand (tenth place).

Even the singer Avi Toledano made up in the presence of competition along Eighties, both performer and composer. In 1981 lace For the first time with the song "Carnival" (which arrived Tuesday). In 1982 won with the song "ordered" and sent to represent Israel at Eurovision Song Contest, where he won second place. Both of these songs he also composed. In 1983 composed the song "Alive" made by Ofra Haza.

The song won the pre, sent to represent Israel in Eurovision, where he picked Second place. In 1985 song "we'll get to" implementation of Yardena Arazi, we have sent the Toledano came in third place Pre, in 1986 again won the third place we've sent the song Toledano - "life" performance of Haim Moshe. In 1989 returned Toledano to stage pre-Eurovision Song Contest as a composer and performs the song "enough" (place Two). In 1991 composed the song "Hava Nagila discovered" committed Uri Feynman. 

Other prominent singers competing at Eurovision blood ": Yigal Bashan (1981, 1982, 1985), Leah Loftin (1981, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1995), Shalva Berti (1985, 1992, 1995), Doron Mazar (1985, 1986, 1993, 1996), Zehava Ben (1992, 2005), Shlomo Gronich (1981, 2006), Etti Ankri (1987), Riki Gal (1983), Corinne Elal (1985), Rita (1986), Boaz Sharabi (1986), David D'or (1993) and Daphna Armoni (1981, 2001).

Ilana Avital appeared four times at the Eurovision blood, but not Made it to the Eurovision stage. B - 1983 dealt Avital With "more" (a Thursday), at - 1987 with "quite enough" (Second place), on - 1991 with "I loved the last (ninth place) and - 1996 with" Les moi Gallabat "(a Friday). B - 1984 Avital pre Eurovision faced the France Y., and reached second place.

Instead hits last

Blood at the Eurovision Song Contest, "faced a number of songs from last place or location were low in itself, but became big hits later. In 1983 handled Pnina Rosenblum with the song "Always a woman, arrived last. Over the years, playing the song on the radio again Again, Rosenblum was invited to many TV programs to the song. In 1992 ran Yaron Hadad with "Zodiac" reached IX. The song became a hit after the competition, musical radio today. Best known hit came last place at pre-Eurovision "is "I wish" of Boaz Sharabi, ran on - 1986.

Struggle between Dafna Dekel and Anat Atzmon

The results of pre-Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 were very close. First Won Dafna Dekel with "It's just sports," with 61 points. Anat Atzmon, which came into second place with "Hope" has to -- 60 points. Festival star and former children's songs, Ronen Vaonkr Came in third place with 59 points with a poem, "Jerusalem". Results Linked so only in 1983 when Ofra Haza beat Yardena Arazi within a point, and in 1985 where he points difference Very small between the three first places, which were Izhar Cohen Trio 'like a gypsy "Yardena Arazi.

After the competition in 1992, demanded Anat Atzmon Israel Broadcasting Authority to disqualify the Dafna Dekel's poetry, saying the song "It's just sports" exceeds in -- 17 seconds to three minutes per song on the steady - though Eurovision Policies Promote - Eurovision Song Contest. According to Atzmon, poetry's not supposed to Dekel was Receive pre-Eurovision contest, so you have to send it to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Broadcasting Authority rejected the demand of Atzmon, on the grounds that many songs Live shortened in the contest, some even won the Eurovision Song Contest. Also, the Broadcasting Authority noted that in 1979 the band won the Milk and Honey תשל"ט song festival with the song "Hallelujah", Cshaorko three minutes And 19 seconds, while the Eurovision Song Contest is just three minutes short.

Atzmon did not accept arguments Broadcasting Authority, appealed, with a player Jaroslav Iakbovic ' District Court in Tel Aviv. Atzmon claims That the policies pre-Eurovision itself is forbidding songs deviate from the framework Three minutes, and therefore liable for the song "It's just sports" disapproved retroactively.

During the trial revealed that if the Broadcasting Authority's poetry Dekel be disqualified, Not be represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, having already passed deadline (Blood D - Lane ") to submit poems to competition or changes in Sweden Them. In addition, IBA also noted that the poetry of Atzmon exceeds two seconds, three-minute frame.

The court did not see fit to intervene considerations Broadcasting Authority, which decided Not reject the "it's just sports" retroactively. "If the respondent was No. 1 (IBA) decides to disqualify the song, was really complain. The court ruled IBA's decision to send the poetry of Dafna Dekel Fair, which also Atzmon's singing is also slightly exceeds the time Out policies. The court closed the hearing, when a teacher available Broadcasting future harder to keep the songs scheduling issue.

Israel at Eurovision

Main articles: History of Israel and Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest

Year and place	Execution	Name the song	Selection process	Hosts of the competition	Eurovision Song Contest final achievement	Points
Luxembourg Luxembourg 1973	Ilanit	אי שם (Somewhere)	Selected by a committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority		Fourth place	97
United Kingdom Brighton 1974	Kaveret	נתתי לה חיי (I gave her my life)	Selected by a committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority		Seventh place	11
Sweden Stockholm 1975	Shlomo Artzi	את ואני (You and I)	Selected by a committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority		11th place	40
Netherlands The Hague 1976	Shokolad Menta Mastik	אמור שלום (Tell peace)	Selected special show, which presented three songs the band		Sixth place	77
United Kingdom London 1977	Ilanit	אהבה היא שיר לשניים (Love is a Song for Two)	Selected by a committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority		11th place	49
France Paris 1978	Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta	A-Ba-Ni-Bi	Won the "Singer Festival" in 1978	Rivka Michaeli	1st place	157
Israel Jerusalem 1979	Milk and Honey	Hallelujah	Won the "Singer Festival" in 1979	Rivka Michaeli	1st place	125