Two of the contest's presenters, Dafna Dekel (left) and Sigal Shachmon, during the contest A tight security presence was felt during the rehearsal week as a precaution against potential disruption from Palestinian militant groups. The possibility of holding the event in an open air venue was discussed, however concerns over security led to the choice of an indoor venue for the event. Financial guarantees by the Israeli government however helped to ensure that the contest would take place in Israel. Additional concerns over funding for the event also contributed to speculation that the contest could be moved to Malta or the United Kingdom, the nations which had finished in the top three alongside Israel the previous year. The prospect of Israel staging the contest resulted in protest by members of the Orthodox Jewish community in the country, including opposition by the deputy mayor of Jerusalem Haim Miller to the contest being staged in the city. The selected venue was the Ussishkin Auditorium of the International Convention Centre, commonly known in Hebrew as Binyenei HaUma ( Hebrew: בנייני האומה), which also served as the host venue for Israel's previous staging of the event. It was the second time that Israel had staged the contest, following the 1979 contest also held in Jerusalem. The 1999 contest took place in Jerusalem, Israel, following the country's victory at the 1998 edition with the song " Diva", performed by Dana International. International Convention Centre, Jerusalem – host venue of the 1999 contest It was also the first ever contest to not feature an orchestra or live music accompanying the competing entries. It was the first contest since 1976 that countries were allowed to perform in the language of their choice, and not necessary the language of their country. ![]() Iceland, Germany, Croatia and Israel rounded out the top five, with Iceland achieving its best ever result and Croatia equalling its previous best. The winner was Sweden with the song " Take Me to Your Heaven", composed by Lars Diedricson, written by Gert Lengstrand and performed by Charlotte Nilsson. ![]() Meanwhile Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark and Iceland returned to the contest, having last participated in 1997, while Lithuania made its first contest appearance since 1994. Finland, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland, having participated in the 1998 contest, were absent due to being relegated after achieving the lowest average points totals over the past five contests or by actively choosing not to return. Twenty-three countries participated in the contest. The event was presented by singer Dafna Dekel, radio and television presenter Yigal Ravid and model and television presenter Sigal Shachmon. ![]() Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), the contest was held in the country following its victory at the 1998 contest with the song " Diva" by Dana International. The Eurovision Song Contest 1999 was the 44th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held on at the International Convention Centre in Jerusalem, Israel.
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