| advertisement |
|
|
| advertisement |
|
|
|
| Israel fails to impress at Eurovision song contest
|
|
 |
Israel's Eddie Butler
|
|
|
| Page tools |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
ATHENS (EJP) – The Israeli entry at Saturday night's Eurovision song contest finished in second-last place, its worst ever position in the 34 years it has entered the competition.
The song "Ze hazman" (Together we are one), performed by Black Hebrew Eddie Butler, gained just four points – all from France, and Israel and was voted 23rd out of the 24 songs. Only Malta did worse gaining only one point.
The contest was won by Finland's Lordi, a death metal band, with their song Hard Rock Hallelujah.
Until this weekend, Israel's previous worst finish was in 2000, when the song Sameah performed by Ping-Pong was ranked 22.
|
Lordi, from Finland, winner at Saturday's Eurovisioon song contest |
High hopes
Butler's song was a rhythm ballad with a gospel influence. The lyrics, part in Hebrew part in English, were written by Orly Burg and Osnat Zvag, while the music was composed by Eddie himself.
Speaking at a press conference before the compeition began, Butler said: "I want you to accept me as I am," adding that he wished for his song to sound like no other previous entries.
Butler is no stranger to the Eurovision. In 1999 he was a member of the band Eden, named after his daughter, that represented Israel with the song “Yom Huledet” at the Eurovision which was held in Jerusalem. Eden finished in fifth place.
The 34-year-old Butler, is a member of the Black Hebrews, a community of some 2,000 ethnic African-Americans concentrated in the Negev town of Dimona.
Although born in Israel Eddie has no voting rights or other citizen’s privileges.The Black Hebrew community arrived in Israel some 40 years ago claiming to be Jews and that their community is descended from an ancient Israelite tribe. But the government of Israel never recognized them as such.
Israeli represented Switzerland
Butler was not the only Israeli taking part in the competition. The Swiss group Six4one had included Israeli woman Leil as well as a Maltese and a Serb.
Six4One's balad If We All Give a Little finished in 17th place. The six member group was comprised of a Swede, a Portuguese, a Maltese, a Swiss, a Serb and an Israeli women Leil.
Although just 16 years old Leil has more than a 100 concerts under her belt including performances with top singers such as Elton John, Bono, and the Scorpions. In 2004 she was the “voice of peace” at the UNESCO gala in the German town of Neuss.
Good record
Despite Israel’s failure yesterday in Athens its overall record is more that satisfactory.
The country first entered the Eurovision song contest back in 1973 with the song Eysham performed by Ilanit, which finished in fourth place. Since than it has participated 29 times since 1973, winning the contest three times.
The first time Israel won was in 1978 in Paris with Izhar Cohen and Alpha –Beta group singing a pop song A-ba-ni-bi. The next year, 1979, in Jerusalem Israel took once again the top spot with the group Milk & Honey singing the ballad Hallelujah.
According to the rules of the contest the country that takes the first place has to organize next years contest. Israel refused to organize the 1980 contest because the date coincided with Remembrance Day and did not take part at all.
The third time Israel finished number one was in 1998 in Birmingham, England, with the pop song Diva performed by transsexual Dana International.
|
|
 |
|
