Transsexual singer stirs up passions

Dana International: Waving the Israeli flag after winning Eurovision 98

It may be the third time Israel has won the Eurovision Song Contest, but it is the first time the winner is a she who once was a he.

The transsexual singer Dana International narrowly beat off stiff competition from Malta to emerge victorious.

Othodox Jews: Criticised Dana's nomination

Supporters of the former drag star jumped with joy and waved Israeli flags as the final votes were cast, giving victory to Dana.

Back home, Israelis took to the streets, cheering and honking horns.

Her nomination in November to represent Israel in the contest caused a stir among some religious Jews.

Several powerful Orthodox lawmakers had even considered trying to topple the government over the issue.

Shlomo Ben Izri, a deputy minister and member of the religious Shas party, called her "an abomination."

Another member of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, Rabbi Shlomo ben Ivri, said: "Undergoing a sex change is worse than a act of sodomy ... choosing her is sending a message of darkness to the world."

"Changing times"

Dana was previously known as Yaran Cohen. She gained fame in Israel as a female impersonator in Tel Aviv night clubs before her sex change operation in 1993.

Dana as then was: Yaran Cohen

After the show, Dana said her victory was a sign of changing times.

"This just goes to show the world is open-minded and liberated. We are all equal," she said.

Her jubilant win was defended by the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain said: "Dana International's sexuality is totally irrelevant to her ability to sing well or perform on behalf of her country, just as anybody else's sexuality should have no bearing on their professional life unless it interferes with their work."

What is much more disturbing is hostility directed towards transsexuals, he added.

"They experience a major conflict of identity, being one gender physically, but the other gender emotionally.

They feel they are living a lie and are trapped in the wrong body," he said.

The rabbi suggested that a more religious response would be firstly to understand the acute unhappiness felt by transsexuals, and secondly to view favourably any surgical remedies that brings them relief.