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Grand Final: 1978

The twenty third annual Eurovision Song Contest broadcast from Palais des Congres in Paris, France.Israel was a first time winner with "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" sung by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta.

The twenty third annual Eurovision Song Contest broadcast from Palais des Congres in Paris, France.Israel was a first time winner with Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta singing love song "A-Ba-Ni-Bi".This win was an upset for many Middle Eastern and North African countries who were broadcasting the competition despite not taking part, and it has been reported that several of them ended their transmissions early when it became apparent during voting Israel was going to take the title. Jordanian television reportedly even went as far as announcing that the second place Belgian entry was the winner.Both Turkey and Greece competed alongside each other for the first time since the political fall-out caused by Turkey's invasion of northern Cyprus. Previously either one or other had withdrawn and this pattern would continue until 1980 when both countries competed alongside each other again. Despite Turkey refusing to recognise the Greek government in Cyprus all three countries competed together when Cyprus made its debut in 1981.This year Denmark returned to the competition for the first time in more than a decade.

2 hours, 25 minutes

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