Israel’s Eurovision contestant highly popular despite BDS efforts
Anti-Israel BDS flyers unable to stem palpable excitement among Eurovision 2018 crowds in Lisbon moments before grand finale; fans from all over the world shout encouragement to Israel's Netta Barzilai.
Shortly before the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 began, the adrenaline was pumping, shirts and flags in a variety of colors filled the surroundings and excitement was in full swing—and not even a local protest of Israeli contestant Netta Barzilai could put a damper on the proceedings.
Israel’s Netta Barzilai, in fact, maintained her sense of humor and uploaded a picture to her Instagram account just before the start of the competition.
This is what Lisbon looked like Saturday night, moments before the sun set and the singing began:
Australian fans sang Netta’s song TOY, while an admirer from the the Czech Republic praised Barzilai by calling her "a killer."
Despite widespread enthusiasm from fans, flyers for a local Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign called for boycotting Israel at the Eurovision.
Barzilai is set to perform in the competition's final Saturday night.
