In Israel, Eurovision win seen as a diplomatic victory, too
JERUSALEM — Israel, confronting a host of contentious political and military issues, was struck by a wave of national euphoria this weekend after the country’s contestant won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with a defiant anthem about female empowerment.
Never mind the preparations for the contentious opening on Monday of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the drama surrounding stolen Iranian nuclear archives or the Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets inside Syria. Many Israelis stayed up till nearly 2 a.m. Sunday to watch the nailbiting finish of the annual international pop competition, which took place in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
The win by Netta Barzilai for her MeToo-themed hit, “Toy,” seemed to ease, at least for now, deep-seated Israeli fears of cultural boycott and isolation.
When the votes came in from around the world and Barzilai’s performance beat songs by rivals from nations like Austria, Cyprus and Sweden, many Israelis hailed it as a diplomatic victory and national vindication.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to get in on the celebrations, echoing Barzilai’s Israel’s Netta Barzilai celebrates after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday.
words as he exulted on his Facebook page: “Next year in Jerusalem!”
In line with Eurovision protocol, next year’s contest will be held in the holy city that Israel is battling to have recognized internationally as its capital.
Israeli elation could be short-lived, of course. The country is bracing for mass Palestinian marches with the potential for bloodshed along the Gaza border and in other areas on Monday to protest the embassy move, among other issues.
But at least for a while, Barzilai, a pop star with
powerful vocals who celebrates difference and is now world famous for her clucking sounds and viral chicken dance, made Israelis feel good.
“I think what’s special about this competition is that people are here for the music and the fun,” said Elad Lahmany, a die-hard Eurovision fan who traveled to Lisbon from his home in Tel Aviv for the competition.
“Nobody thinks about politics, I hope,” he said, adding, “I’m glad we were able to show the beautiful side of Israel.”
Israel, which is not a
European country, first took part in Eurovision 1973. Australia, which broadcast the competition without taking part since the 1980s, has been sending contestants since 2015. Now a global phenomenon made more accessible by video streaming and social media, the competition has fans all over the world.
Israel had won the Eurovision three times before — in 1978, 1979 and 1998 — and has hosted the contest twice at the International Convention Center at the western entrance of Jerusalem.