Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993

Israel first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973.[4] During the 1970s and 1980s, the competition became an annual tradition and a significant event on Israel’s calendar.[5] Eastern European countries began joining Eurovision in 1993, expanding the field of participating countries.[5]

Israel’s 1993 preselection attracted submissions from established Israeli singers, including Doron Mazar, Adam, Shimi Tavori, Dorit Reuveni, and Zvika Pik.[2] Sarah’le Sharon competed with “Shiru” and a group of the same name, which she later recalled had been assembled specifically for the competition.[1]

Sharon and Shiru won the Kdam Eurovision, Israel’s national preselection.[1] In her later recollection, Sharon credited the song’s lyrics and music to Yoram Taharlev and Shaike Paikov and described it as a statement in favor of communal Hebrew singing.[1] She regarded winning the preselection as an achievement in itself, although the prospect of performing before millions of Eurovision viewers frightened her.[1]

After the preselection victory, Sharon received a bouquet and exclaimed, “The flowers are for the IDF.”[1] She later explained that both of her sons were serving in the military at the time and recalled thinking, “How can you hold an event like this without the soldiers guarding you?”[1]

A commercial recording titled קדם אירוויזיון 1993, also labeled “Pre Eurovision Contest 1993,” was issued in Israel by Hed Artzi.[6] Its track list included “שירו” (“Shiru”), performed by Sarah’le Sharon.[6]

At the international contest in Millstreet, Ireland, Sharon performed with members of her kibbutz.[2] “Shiru” received four points, awarded by France and Portugal, and placed 24th, second to last, ahead of Belgium.[3] The placing was worse than Israel’s previous low point in 1986.[3] Ireland won the 1993 competition with “In Your Eyes,” written by Jimmy Walsh and performed by Niamh Kavanagh.[7]

Israel did not participate in Eurovision in 1994 after the field expanded to include post-Soviet and post-Yugoslav countries, forcing lower-placed 1993 entrants out of the next contest.[2][3]

Published accounts disagree on two numerical details. Several reports describe “Shiru” as finishing 24th and second to last, ahead only of Belgium.[1][3] A 2001 Ynet quiz instead labels the placing 23rd, while still calling it second to last and recording the same four points from France and Portugal.[8]

Accounts also differ on the 1994 cutoff: one retrospective says seven of the lowest-placed countries sat out, while another says the bottom five were excluded.[2][3] Both connect Israel’s absence to the expanded participation of post-Soviet and post-Yugoslav countries.

Sharon’s declaration, “The flowers are for the IDF,” became a memorable catchphrase associated with her preselection victory.[1] In later recollections, she connected the remark to her sons’ military service and her gratitude toward the soldiers protecting the country.[1] She also emphasized the personal achievement of winning the Israeli selection and remembered Shiru as a group created specifically for the contest.[1]