Birmingham (AFP) Israel, represented with one of the most popular singers of the last five years in the Jewish state, Dana International, yesterday won the 43rd Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham. Dana International's 'Diva', a sarcastic song about Cleopatra, Aphrodite and queen Victoria, secured Israel its first victory since 1978.

The contest ended with a victory for Israel after fierce competition between Israel and Malta. Britain came third followed by the Netherlands, whereas the fifth and sixth places where held by Belgium and Croatia. Dana International, who is 29, was born in Tel Aviv to a Yemenite family. She was a man called Yaron Cohen until the age of 24 when she had an operation and became Dana. The singer representing Israel in the competition stirred up rage among Jewish extremists, Dana, however, answered she wanted to represent 'the free Israel'.

Dana International, who has sold five million records with songs like '100% man' ['100% gever'] and 'A different gender' ['Sex acher'], defends gay liberation. She has been asked to sing at the opening ceremony at the Gay Games which will probably be held in Amsterdam in early August.