Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005

For the first time since 2001, a full-scale Israeli preselection was held on 2 March. Unlike previous years, IBA invited only established artists to the Kdam. Among the better-known participants were Shiri Maymon (runner-up of a popular Pop Idol-style audition show in 2003) as well as Svika Pick, composer and producer of the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest winner "Diva". Shiri Maymon's song "Hasheket Shenish'ar" ("The Silence That Remained") won the event to become Israel's entry in Kiev. The song is written by Pini Aaronbayev and Eyal Shachar and composed by Pini Aaronbayev. At Eurovision, the song was presented in English and Hebrew.

Shiri Maymon was born in Haifa, and grew up in the neighboring town of Kiriyat Haim. Shiri made her first professional appearance at the annual children’s ‘Festigal’ in 1991. In 2000, she was called for her National Service, and was invited to join the Air Force Entertainment Group, entertaining Israeli troops. In 2003 Shiri came in 2nd place at ‘A Star Is Born’, Israel’s version of ‘Pop Idol’, which caused a large amount of popularity. Shiri was invited to join the team of presenters of ‘Exit’, a daily television program in which she interviews people and discusses subjects that are of interest to youth.

Final - February 2