Israeli Orthodox politicians cried foul this week when a Israeli pop singer who was once a man was chosen to represent Israel at this year’s Eurovision song contest.
Politicians said choosing the singer known as Dana International to represent Israel would be a mark against the Jewish people.
“The Eurovision song contest interests me about as much as the weather in Antarctica,” Knesset member Shlomo Benizri, of the Shas Party, told Israel Radio.
“But as a son of the Jewish people, it offends me. The Jews are supposed to be a light unto the nations, but this is a message of darkness.”
International’s song, “Diva,” was chosen from among 33 entries.
The chairman of the selection committee, Gil Samsonov, said the song was superior to all the other entries. He added that the singer’s transsexuality would, perhaps, help Israel’s chances.
“We should be seen as a liberal, free country that chooses songs on their merits,” he said.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
