Israel wins Eurovision with #MeToo inspired song

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Israel won the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon early Sunday when singer Nita Barzilai beat 25 other contestants with her uptempo song “Toy,” whose lyrics were inspired by the #MeToo movement.

The winning track, which included refrains like “I’m not your toy, you stupid boy,” summed up the concerns of many women who have embraced the growing global movement against sexual harassment.

The 25-year-old, who wore a colorful kimono, accompanied her winning performance with a charming and whimsical performance of the trills, clicking sounds and chicken-like dance moves that are often a Eurovision contest highlight.

“I’m so happy. Thank you so much. Thank you for supporting diversity,” she said, taking the stage to perform her song again after announcing her win.

“People chose different, people chose freshness.”

Barzilai scored 529 points, beating off stiff competition from Cypriot Eleni Foureira and her fiery song “Fuego,” who scored 436 points.

He received the Eurovision trophy from last year’s winner Portugal’s Salvador Sobral, who called his song “terrible” in an interview published in Portuguese daily Publico on Wednesday.

“I feel that they respect me and I just send them love,” Barzilai said at the press conference when asked how it felt to receive the award from Sobral.

Shortly after her win, Barzilai managed to break the glass trophy she was awarded — but organizers provided a replacement at the post-concert press conference.

– stage attack –

The annual musical extravaganza has long been known for its ridiculous costumes, glitz and high-tech stage effects.

Highlights of this year’s competition, hosted by Portugal for the first time, included a staircase that was set on fire and a giant projection dress that came to life with colorful animations.

British singer Suri’s performance was interrupted by a man who jumped on stage and grabbed her microphone as she performed her entry “Storm”.

She calmly turned aside and clapped as the man was ushered away before quickly resuming the song after being handed another microphone.

The man remains in police custody, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, said in a statement.

It added that Suri and her team were given the chance to sing again but chose not to because they were “too proud” of her performance. She finished 24th.

Israel has won the competition in 1978, 1979 and 1998.

Ariel Lupstein, a Jewish Puerto Rican living in Madrid who was in the final, said Barzilla’s win was a way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.

“I’m really excited, really happy,” the 43-year-old, who wore a blue and white Israeli flag around his back, told AFP.

– ‘The Best Ambassador’ –

Barzilai’s win sparked celebrations in Israel, which has won the competition three times in 1978, 1979 and 1998.

Hundreds of fans danced in front of Tel Aviv’s city hall. Some threw themselves fully clothed into the shallow waters of the building.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Barzilai on the phone and said that she is the best ambassador of Israel. We love you.

Israel will now host the competition next year.

Eurovision was first organized in 1956 with the aim of unifying Europe after World War II.

Today it has an estimated global audience of nearly 200 million people — more than the Super Bowl in America — and has served as a global launching pad for the likes of ABBA and Celine Dion.

“It’s just harmless fun, it’s a really good atmosphere,” said Lee Torrance, 43, from Worcestershire, Britain, who wore a vest and bowtie with a Union Jack pattern to the final.

– ban on China –

Although the contest is supposed to be apolitical, this year’s Eurovision, like many others before it, was no stranger to controversy.

The European Broadcasting Union banned China’s Mango TV from broadcasting Saturday’s final after it edited out a romantic dance sequence between two men from Ireland during the competition’s first semi-final.

Mango TV also dazzled the audience with rainbow flags.

After two semi-finals held this week, 20 countries went through to Saturday’s final while Britain, Italy, Spain, France and Germany got a free pass as they are the biggest contributors to the European Broadcasting Union. Portugal qualified automatically as they were the hosts.

Barzilai said she will celebrate her win with her fans who traveled to Lisbon from Israel to support her in the competition.

“There is no such thing as an Israeli party. You will find out next year,” he added.