“Israel is amazing. We have amazing people,” Netta said. “We are very warm and vibrant, and we have good values,” but “we have such bad PR in the world.”
By: United with Israel Staff
Israel’s unconventional Netta Barzilai, who won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with a catchy techno dance tune about women’s empowerment, said that while “Israel is amazing,” it gets “bad PR” around the world.
“Israel is amazing. We have amazing people,” she told AP. “We are very warm and vibrant, and we have good values,” but “we have such bad PR (public relations) in the world.”
“I felt as an Israeli, and a proud one, I love my people, that it can do a lot of amazing stuff,” she added.
‘WE HAVE SUCH BAD PR IN THE WORLD’: #EurovisionSongContest winner #Netta is happy that her victory – with empowerment track #Toy – has made her home country of #Israel proud. pic.twitter.com/rZ2G9WQ0jU
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) 26 ביולי 2018
The 25-year-old beat out competition from 42 other countries’ performers in May, claiming the music extravaganza’s annual crown at the Grand Final with her song “Toy.”
When asked about feminism, she rejected those who sit and complain in favor of activism. Netta said she believed in “a feminism that comes and takes what it deserves, with a smile and with a hug.”
Her win — Israel’s fourth and the first since 1998 — means her country hosts next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Speaking to Israel Radio after her victory, she said she looked forward to the world seeing “the Israeli carnival” when Jerusalem hosts the contest.
People will see “how wonderful we are. What a vibe we have. Best people… the best place in the world,” she said.
Netta’s decisive victory was achieved despite a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign to have Netta fail.
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