Among the leaders in Israeli music are singers and bands such as : Etti Ankri , David D'Or , Aviv Gefen , Rita , Shlomo Artzi , HaYehudim , Ivri Lider , and Dana International . Both Lider and International often sing songs dealing with their own sexual preferences – Lider 's song " Jesse " is about unrequited homosexual love , and International , a transsexual , began her singing career as a drag queen . Other pop stars include Ninet Tayeb , Harel Skaat and Shiri Maimon – all winners of the Israeli talent search TV show '' Kokhav Nolad '' ( " A Star is Born " , the Israeli version of " Pop Idol " ) . Maimon represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 , and reached top 4 out of over 25 countries , with her ballad " Hasheket Shenishar " ( " The Silence That Remains " )
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Music of Israel