Netta Barzilai is sassy, she is fun and she can sing. Now, the 25-year-old Israeli is the winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. She won with a catchy dance song about women’s empowerment called “Toy.”

It is Israel’s first win since 1998, and fourth win overall. Netta beat competitors from 42 other countries. About 200 million people watched this year’s contest, held in Lisbon, Portugal. Votes came in live Saturday from the capitals of participating countries. The final moments were tense, with Israel in a close, five-way race with Cyprus, Austria, Sweden and Germany.

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets early Sunday to celebrate Netta’s victory. Fans gathered at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. The City Hall building there was lit up to spell “Toy.” Electronic signs throughout Tel Aviv congratulated Netta.

Netta was already a huge hit in Israel thanks to her personality and humorous performances.

Aliqismet BADALOV,
“Khalq qazeti”