The victory of the transsexual singer, Dana International, in the Eurovision Song Contest is not being celebrated by all Israelis. It has been condemned by religious Jews. The BBC's Middle East Correspondent, Jeremy Bowen, reports from Jerusalem.

Hundreds of Dana's fans stopped the traffic, lit fireworks, danced in fountains and sang her song again and again in Tel Aviv after she won.

Dana wins - and Israelis are split

They love the way she looks and the way she sounds, but this was about much more than pop.

They believe she is part of a bigger fight, not just for gay rights, but for every Israeli who wants this country to be modern, secular, and part of the west.

Both secular and religious Jews see Dana's victory as a battle in the constant cultural civil war they are fighting against each other.

Religious Jews are horrified that Dana International, who was born a man, represented Israel.

Israelis are every bit as divided about religion and culture as they are about peace with the Palestinians, which is, at least, the subject of negotiations.

There is no real dialogue between secular and religious Israelis, and Dana's victory is another sign that the gulf between them is growing wider.
 

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