Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981

Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Halayla", composed by Shuki Levy, with lyrics by Shlomit Aharon and Yuval Dor, and performed by the band Habibi. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through Kdam Eurovision 1981. IBA returned at the Eurovision Song Contest, after withdrawing from the 1980 contest because of National Day of Remembrance.

Before Eurovision

Kdam Eurovision 1981

The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) decided to replace the Israel Song Festival with a new competition designed to select a song for the contest.

The final was held on 3 March 1981 in Jerusalem, and was hosted by Daniel Pe'er. The votes of nine regional juries across Israel decided the winner.

The winning entry was "Halayla", performed by Hakol Over Habibi and composed by Shuki Levy, with lyrics written by Shlomit Aharon and Yuval Dor.

At Eurovision

On the evening of the final Hakol Over Habibi, performing as Habibi, performed 5th in the running order, following Luxembourg and preceding Denmark. Shlomit Aharon, the band's soloist, was in about 6–7 months pregnant at the contest. At the close of voting "Halayla" had received 56 points, placing Israel seventh of the 20 entries. IBA appointed Dan Kaner as its spokesperson to announce the result of the Israeli vote in the final.[citation needed]

Voting