Of course, I was rooting for Netta, I’m Not Your Toy, and Israel at Eurovision 2018.
She had all my 12 points.
But I was shocked when – at a packed Irish bar in Manhattan – the crowd cheered for Netta Barzilai’s performance more than they did for Ireland’s.
And this was after 21 performance by other Finalists at Lisbon;s Altice Arena.
I knew then that Israel had a good chance to win the popular vote.
And it did.
Netta brought empowerment and a message to the stage. And she was a fabulous ambassador and messenger, moving from someone who was rejected by brides from appearing at their weddings for not being pretty enough, to someone who is now a national and world hero.
YES CHI KEN
and Yes She Did
Last evening’s win was Israel fourth at the Eurovision Song Contest
Gal Gadot was ecstatic at the win, as was PM Binyamin Netanyahu who tweeted his mazel tov to her (see more on this below). Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin told Netta by phone that the nation was proud of her whatever the outcome. He said, “You’re a talented and wonderful artist, who places Israel center stage, and I’d like to thank you for the road you’ve taken thus far. You’re a symbol of victory to us all…. you have an entire country behind you.”
THE FINAL VOTE AND WIN
NETTA’s INITIAL REACTION AND THANKING THE WORLD
NETTA OFFICIAL VIDEO
A small social media tempest erupted when Microsoft’s BING and other sites incorrectly TRANSLATED PM Netanyahu’s tweet to NETTA.
It translated KaPaRa as the PM calling her a COW.
He didn’t.
Equally bad was when one site translated the word as ATONEMENT, instead of Hebrew slang term of affection.
Alon Katz’s take on the NETTA FEVER sweeping the nation is below. Even the defense minister referred to the song’s win in his twet to Syria and Iran.
The word COWabunga is very appropriate, she does look like a fat cow, why couldnt israel send a thin singer?
Sexist and shallow much?
How am i sexist and shallow?
the truth is netta looks like an ugly fat cow, we have so many beautiful women to represent us, there was no reason to choose her.
and you are the shallow one, calling me sexist without knowing me,
some of my best friend are women
Mazel tov!