"Diva" () is the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, performed in Hebrew by Israeli singer Dana International representing . The music was composed by Svika Pick, with lyrics written by Yoav Ginai. The song was produced by Offer Nissim with music arrangements by Alon Levin and included on her fifth album, Free (1999). It was Israel's third winning song in the Eurovision Song Contest, following the consecutive victories of and . Dana International's win is considered one of the most groundbreaking moments in Eurovision history. Eurovision selection and victory The song became the last entry entirely in a language other than English to win the contest until 2007. As the song did not have any live orchestral accompaniment, the interval act was the last time live music from an orchestra was used in the contest, as the 1999 contest lacked the necessary budget and was held in a venue not large enough to hold one. The selection of Dana International's song caused so much controversy amongst conservative groups in Israel that on her arrival in Britain, police escorts and security were required continuously. The performance consisted of Dana International wearing a silver dress, backed by four other female singers wearing black. It involved no dancing. The song was the eighth entry performed on the night, following 's Sixteen with "To takie proste" and preceding 's Guildo Horn with "Guildo hat euch lieb!". At the close of voting, it had received 172 points, placing 1st in a field of 25. This was Israel's third Contest victory and, as they had not entered the previous year's Contest, they achieved the unusual distinction of having won a Contest the year after not competing. also had this unusual bout of luck, having won in 2016 after missing the contest in Vienna a year before. The same would happen the following year with , missing the contest in 2016 but winning in 2017. After the results were announced, Dana International caused a stir by arriving to the presentation late after a long delay, because she changed into an extravagant costume designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier adorned with bird feathers before performing the reprise. The song was succeeded in 1999 as contest winner by Charlotte Nilsson, performing "Take Me to Your Heaven" for . It was succeeded as Israeli representative at the 1999 contest by Eden with "Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)". Congratulations The song