Why on earth does Israel compete in the Eurovision Song Festival?

BECAUSE.... THE RIGHT to participate in the contest is contingent on membership of the European Broadcasting Union. The statutes of the Union limit membership "primarily ... to organisations in the European Broadcasting Area. This area, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union, extends from the Atlantic to the meridian 40 deg E. It is bounded on the south by the 30th parallel." Jerusalem, the official headquarters of Israeli Television, is 35 deg E, and on the 32nd parallel. This definition also allows for participation by Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, the Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. Israeli participation deters these countries on a point of principle, although Morocco did enter in 1980 when Israel withdrew for Passover. Samira Bensaid sang "Betakit Hob", a plea for racial harmony based on the distressing observation that, "while our skins may be different colours, we are all red on the inside". It came second from last and Morocco has not repeated the experiment. The only country ever refused entry to the contest is Liechtenstein, turned down in 1976 on the harsh grounds that it had no television station or transmission facilities of any sort. In a compromise to avert a diplomatic incident, Swiss Television agreed that their entry be officially that of "The Swiss Confederation and Liechtenstein"; this is a nice point, since the full name won't fit on the scoreboard. A further complication is that of Eastern Europe. Yugoslavia has always been a member of Eurovision; indeed, Croatian television staged the contest this year in Zagreb following their famous 1989 victory with "Rock Me, Baby". The other countries of Eastern Europe - except Albania - have a parallel organisation called Intervision, with its own song contest. In the state of flux now characterising the old structures of Europe, these countries may be expected to avail themselves of Eurovision membership, thereby increasing the length of the contest by about an hour and causing terminal seizure of the voting system. Gorbachev has a lot to answer for.

Andrew Latto, Thornton Heath, Surrey.

The question should be "Why does Israel want to enter the Eurovision Song Contest?". But to be serious, Israel does "compete" in a number of European events (such as Soccer and Basketball). I think the main reason for this is that its Middle-East neighbours might not be too happy about it competing with them.

Actually, I thought your question will be: why Israel is wasting time in competing in the Euro-vision while it's a pathetic competition. Most of the songs are awful, and the votes are given by politically context, for example: Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (before the last conflict) - would give a lot of points to one each other almost any time. Same with many other countries, no matter of the performance. When it comes to Israel, it must be a really good performance to get some points and yet many countries won't give them any points just because politics. The only times that Israel won the contest were:

* After Israel signed a peace agreement with Egypt. (1978,1979)

* When Israel was represented by Dana International - a transgender singer, which collect votes only because of that fact (the performance wasn't that great).

Regarding to your question, Israel is not the only non-European in the contest, there are many countries like Israel, because the Euro-vision rules allow that (you can see the link below). So, Israel decided to take part in the competition, like many other countries (Azerbaijan, Lebanon...).

You can ask the same about Sports... Israel is participating in the euro sports competitions, instead of Asia. However, that case is quite different. In that case, no one want to guard a stadium full of fanatic Islamic people from Iran/Iraq/Syria.... against Israel. Nothing good will happen in a game like this.

Because the rules of Eurovision allow it. Their criteria for entry isn't limited to geography, as other non-European nations besides Israel can also compete. This is because qualification into the competition is based on whether or not a nation is part of the European Broadcast Union, which despite the "Euro" in the name includes many other nations that aren't in Europe.

Why not ask about Armenia and Azerbaijan? Neither is in Europe. Nor is Lebanon, and they competed before. Same with Morocco. Hell, why not ask about Australia, who despite claims may become a permanent contestant? Other nations such as Jordan, Egypt, and Algeria are perfectly eligible to enter but just haven't done so, and given that it makes sense that Israel would be able to,

The "EuroVision Song Contest" was opened up to nations outside Europe but still within the European Broadcasting Union MANY years ago....I guess you just weren't paying attention, huh?

http://www.eurovision.tv/page/about/which-countrie...

I thought Australia went into the Eurovision thing and came 3rd or something. So it probably isn't restricted to European countries

All of them look pretty strange, weird and funny lookin compared to the white Euros so they invite some jews every year just for chuckles .

This year, there Arab Prez, Bibi Nethuhu promised to go out there on the stage and battle twerk Arabian style all night long.

Europe is the real home of zionist israel.....since no country in the Middle East want israel.....israel is at home in the Eurovision song Festival.......

Israel is not in Europe, so it is a bit of a stretch to include them. None of the neighbours in the Middle East like Israel, so nobody will play with them.

same Reason Australia does to make it More International for a Bigger audience thus More Money for the

Originators remember More members more Money

Israel is connected to many cultures