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JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Orthodox politicians cried foul this week when an Israeli pop singer who was once a man was chosen to represent Israel at this year's Eurovision song contest.

Politicians said choosing the singer known as Dana International to represent Israel would be a mark against the Jewish people.

"The Eurovision song contest interests me about as much as the weather in Antarctica," Knesset member Shlomo Benizri, of the Shas Party, told Israel Radio.

"But as a son of the Jewish people, it offends me. The Jews are supposed to be a light unto the nations, but this is a message of darkness."

International's song, "Diva," was chosen from among 33 entries.

The chairman of the selection committee, Gil Samsonov, said the song was superior to all the other entries. He added that the singer's transsexuality would, perhaps, help Israel's chances.

"We should be seen as a liberal, free country that chooses songs on their merits," he said.

Israel unemployment at three-year high

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel's unemployment rate has reached its highest level in three years, soaring to 8.1 percent, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

According to the bureau, third-quarter figures were the highest since the same rate was recorded in the first quarter of 1994.

The number of unemployed rose to 179,000, up from 169,000 in the second quarter of the year. The civilian labor force totaled 2.2 million.

Jacob Frenkel, governor of the Bank of Israel, blamed structural reforms in the economy for the increase. He defended the bank's policy of monetary restraint, saying that it was necessary in order to maintain the government's inflationary goals of 7 to 10 percent.