The question I asked the members of an Israeli Eurovision Song Contest page on Facebook:
Why do so many of you Israelis love Eurovision so much?
I can honestly tell you that my interest for 
begun back in 1982, when I had a crush on Avi Toledano, and his ”Hora” is still one of my all time top 10 ESC songs.
So, why do you Israelis love ESC so much?
Some of the replies that I got:
First of all because it is music, and music that is good for the soul. Secondly, I really like Eurovision because they sing there in all kinds of languages and it’s fun to hear all kinds of languages like Finnish, Albanian, Greek, English, Italian, etc. and of course Hebrew…. So it’s very fun and very happy to hear all kinds of languages and music that’s good for the soul.
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I think we like feeling connected to the rest of the world that way. At least that’s what it’s like for me. Aside from the wonderful songs and musicians I always discover. How else would I have heard Finnish rap songs if not through ESC?
My reply: that’s a very good point…
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When we get 12 points we take it personally, like they say we like Israel. They vote for the song, not for Israel, but we feel like they say we love Israel and accept you.
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Since we are popular around the world when we are getting killed, it is nice for a change to be popular when we are alive.
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Thank you for your lovely post and for joining our Mischpouha. I liked ***’s reply and I will add: we feel connected and accepted. I think that after the Holocaust (and the great betrayal of the Jewish populations by many European countries) and the establishment of Israel (including the wars we gone through), the new generation of Israelis was ready to proudly showcase the positive and modern cultural aspects of our country, and be accepted as a new proud nation. This need was (and still is) important to us, since we’re not accepted by our immediate neighbors. That’s just my subjective analysis.
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Shalom Kim 
Maybe it’s the internal platform, that we see as an opportunity for our very young country to take proudly part in such a one of a kind event, which bring together all the nations of the region to showcase what each of them do best on stage!
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The competition is all about diversity and happiness.
And there is no doubt the Israel know how to spice it up a little 
And one more thing!
For us as the Jewish nation, since day one we always had to prove that we belong, and we are good enough and worth living. And this is a big way to spread our inner light within us with our endless joy and our happiness that we are happy to share with the world.
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Isn’t it all about music? I also love diversity.
Prior to being a ESC fan I watched Sanremo.
My mom was shocked since we don’t really have any blood connection to Italy and I’ve started watching Sanremo when I was 6 years old (back in 2005)
I never understood what they said or sung but I loved it, in 2007 I was in Rome and my family talked with some locals about the fact that I love Sanremo and they told my mom that if I love Sanremo I might like the Eurovision as well.
And the romance with Eurovision began in 2007 where I saw so many different songs and languages that got me even more intrigued.
to sum it up:
I love music, languages and people.
And the Eurovision Song Contest has it all in its best form 
.
My reply: That’s a sweet story. This year was actually the first time I followed Sanremo. And I do agree with you: I love music, languages and people.
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Because we love life! and music and singing and dancing is living.
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Hey Kim 
as the people above said, in the first place we just love the wonderful music of the competition!
I think we have a historical issue here as well, unfortunately its look like Israel is one of the most hated countries in the world (you can see this clearly now in the diffrenent esc groups).
We feel that hate, it’s hate based on political/national things, that hate and didn’t start the war and probably will not end there.
So I think we also have this back mind thought, and the opportunity that we can participate in this amazing world wide event make us feel a bit accepted as israelis. It’s a great feeling that give us also the opportunity to share our music and to give and get back a little love from the world. Just like any other nation.
Thank you so much for your lovely post.
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Hi Kim,
I can think of 3 reasons:
1. Music- Israelis just like anyone else likes music, because it fun.
2. Inclusion- eurovision is one of the few things that we are included 100% and feel equal.
3. National Pride- we are doing good in recent years of eurovision and take pride of that, unlike our current state in popular sports (football and basketball) where we usually get bad scores.
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We love music 
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Crush on Avi Toledano, that’s good 
I also had one his image singing the Hora the one with the ה will live forever in my mind
For me it took Israel to send golden boy, a song I actually loved and felt it really captured the Israeli vibes of that time to start really love Eurovision.
It just adds so much fun and joy in those months of the year 
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It’s the captivating illusion of inclusivity and world acceptance. It’s a way to represent the pride of a nation and the possibility to show Israeli talent and ingenuity in a 3 minutes song each year.
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It’s crazy, it’s party!
My reply: 😀 😀 😀
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A combination of olympycs and music some would say. But honestly it’s the music. The fact that this is what I’m listening to often and the fact that I have my favs over the years just proves that.
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Every Israeli that lives the life in the Middle East likes to feel European for a single night.
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I love everything about it!!! All the aspects!!!
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Well for me first is Music … we all love different Music styles.. different cultures, languages etc..
national pride- to stand with your flag proudly
united- eurovision brings us all together and I love the free love everyone’s giving to eachother and the other countries.
common, in which competition or contest in the world, you will see people holding and waving your country’s flag just because they support this song.
I also love the feeling of being belonged and welcomed in a way …
and the excitement, the competition that brings adrenaline.
also we in Israel are used to a hard reality and eurovision gives us great platform to connect to other fans and enjoy music together. it’s the best thing ever.
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We love music, love being a part of an event where many countries come together and we love to compete and win sometimes.
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Back in the 1970s, 1980s there was only one tv channel in Israel. When Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team played in Europe and during Eurovision, streets were empty, everybody watched. Big celebrations erupted after victories. Very special times.
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A lot if us are European and it’s a nice way to celebrate the European cultures among us.
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A- Acceptance and acknowledgement as equals. That’s why I don’t want either people boycotting us, not voting for us no matter what as a sympathy/protest vote. I want to be treated as equal, that’s it.
B- The music and the vibe in general. IDK, it a good thing to be apart of, even individually.
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Can we ask YOU something? Is it true Hora didn’t get points from Finland and people turned off the television because it is a dirty word in the finish language? Or is it an urban legend.
And I think Israel is so segregate, being the forefront westerners in the terror soaked middle east, inside the Muslim empire from Asia east, to east Europe north, to Africa down south, so many hostile acres of the Muslim empire, that having this annual telegram from the west is like someone who gets you, in a high-school of only bullies, and offering a hug or a handshake.
My reply: I’ve heard this before, and I think it’s just a myth.
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Because it’s music and it’s always good for the soul. It is also to be part of the nations of the world. And with our not so simple reality it is also a form of escapism. And it’s wonderful that we send great songs.
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Personally, I can say that I love Eurovision because of the (and thanks to):
1. Music – First and foremost. I’m a singer/songwriter at my core. Nothing makes me happier than music does. That’s a point I feel like I can attribute to Israelis in general, too. We’re a happy nation that enjoys celebrating, and there’s no better way to celebrate life, existence and culture than showcasing it all in music, I think.
2. Initial concept – I love how one of the motives to create Eurovision was to unite nations and bring them closer together at about the worst of times. ESC seemed to stand for peace and understanding, and promote them, right from the start. I value and desire peace and coexistence myself, so I immediately found that appealing. I also just love learning about other cultures, as is, so this makes ESC extra appealing.
3. Friendships – Eurovision may be a contest, but it’s one that clearly shows that it’s possible to support each other and make friends even when trying to be the best, and I appreciate that a lot. Seeing competitors befriend each other is a beautiful thing, just as well as befriending others over Eurovision and enjoying ESC activities like parties, is a beautiful thing. I love the mostly friendly spirit that’s held in and around Eurovision, a lot.
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I think many Israelis can relate to Eurovision’s values of being united through culture and music, maybe even much more than other countries, because of the tough neighbourhood we live in.
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Because about 80 percent of the population in Israel are gay
(In fact, even 90 percent among Israeli Yemenis and Moroccans)
And besides, we’re really bad at sports, so at least here there is one international competition that we can really occasionally win.
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Hey Eliakim, it’s a pleasure to meet you. This has to do a lot with the connection Israel has with the European side when it comes to culture and entertaiment. Not just because so many of us came from all around Europe, it was also closer by distance. Back when there was no Internet the main Influence came from Europe. There was MTV Europe and European movies and TV shows (mainly England but also France and Germany). As a Young Girl I remember buying British music Magazines in Stores and listening to bands from Europe.
So This is also a HUGE part of it.
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May I suggest the geopolitical reason. The first time Israel participated in Eurovision was 1973 at that time a state who belongs to the ”third world” in economical aspect. more than that our political situation was complicated ( as always) since the Arab world boycotted us. And due to the energy world crisis the Arabs forced states to disconnect their diplomatic relationship with Israel. At the time the ”cold war” was in its peak and therefore Israel considered to be ally of the west countries U.S.A while east Europe U.S.S.R were in coalition with the Arabs. Being outcast we felt like we share the democratic values with the west and the acceptance of our small developing state to Eurovision and the Euroleague was feeling like part of the normal democratic regimes. At that time Spain was dictatorships and east Europe.
So obviously, being part of this ”democratic club” gave us sense of acceptance and belonging.
Israel has a beautiful music who derives its roots from the local rhythms Arab, Palestinians, the different rhythms from the different states the Jews emigrated from to Israel. The Europe chart is very influential in Israel and dominates The radio channels here and we r influenced a lot from the Greek music, Italian, Spain, Ireland France the Balkan states and off course UK. Abba was very popular in Israel, Boney M from Germany and much more. The Israelis were the first to embrace Radiohead and they were popular here long before they gained their fame around the world. So from the beginning Israelis r open to this multicultural music and love it.
Being part of Eurovision gives us a sense of sharing the same values of Peace, acceptance of differences. We were the first who sent a transsexual to the Eurovision. And that’s why we are feeling betrayed now when many countries who we share the same values with, support terror organisations that their values r exactly the opposite of Eurovision spirit.
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I think Netta’s Toy really pumped up the interest and excitement of Israelis about the contest.
Eurovision always had its crowd of fans among the Israelis, especially since Diva.
However, Netta’s winning and later on Eurovision 2019 in Israel – brought manyyyy new fans.
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Why does anyone love ESC? I just love the excitement of the competition and discovering the winner. I like many of the songs too, but it’s usually not a main reason for me to watch.
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I love the Eurovision because it is so fun, diverse, interesting, festive and colourful.
I love competitions that include different countries of the world like the Olympics, Eurovision.
An international music festival to see different cultures bringing their best performances.
It promoted world peace. When countries focus on the music that brings them together, to celebrate the art.
I started watching Eurovision with my family when I was a teenager and keep enjoying it for years.
Also somehow I enjoy the music of the Eurovision more than the pop songs of MTV. Yes yes!! It appeals to me more.
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Most Israelis have become fans only in the past five years thanks to Netta’s win and the fact that one of the most popular reality tv shows has decided to elect our representative, in general we Israelis love music, life and joy so Eurovision is made for us.
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I can speak for myself only.
I’m one of the oldest here.
For me eurovision is nostalgia.
As a kid, we used to sit all the family in front of the TV. It was a celebration once a year.
Once it was a quality show.
Sadly, today all we’re left with is just the name and mostly circus songs.
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Hye. I can speak only for myself. Since I was 4 years old I dreamt to go abroad (did it first at 12 years old). Suddenly I got to know due to my parents this competition with people from many countries. A cosmopolitic, with people and languages from all over the world. This really excited me, because since I was little when I saw tourists it excited me to see people from other cultures. And I always loved music…
I watch since 1988…
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Thank you all for your wonderful replies!
