In the run-up to the Contest , many speculated that it would not be held in Israel , but would be moved to either Malta or stay at the United Kingdom ( the countries that completed the top 3 of the 1998 Contest ) . This came about after major concerns over funding for the event from the Israeli government arose , alongside the opposition from Orthodox Jews that they would attempt to stop the Contest from coming to Israel after Dana International won the previous year 's Contest . This , however , provided no hindrance for IBA or to the organizing team of the event , and the Ussishkin Auditorium at International Convention Center in Jerusalem was selected as the venue for the 44th Contest
1998 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1998
Eurovision Song Contest 1999