1980: "Bitakat hob" — Samira Bensaïd

At the 1980 Eurovisie Songfestival in The Hauge, Morocco became the first independent African country to participate in the contest. Samira Bensaïd is still Morocco’s only ever representative at the ESC: the country has boycotted the competition ever since in protest at Israel’s participation. 
 

Having won two years in a row, Israel did not take part in 1980 because the date of the contest fell on Yom haZikaron, the national remembrance day. 

Broadcasters from all North African countries that border the Mediterranean are members of the EBU and therefore eligible to compete in the ESC. Morocco’s long-standing boycott follows its decision not to recognise Israel—a decision that was reversed in 2020.