Crown goes to Netta of Israel with her quirky entry Toy, in memorable contest after stage invader interrupted UK’s song</s>Understatement alert! Between 25-year-old Netta Barzilai’s big win for Israel at Eurovision over the weekend and the official relocation of the American Embassy to Jerusalem on Monday, this is shaping up to be a very a big week for Israel. Americans tend to lag behind the rest of the world in Eurovision awareness the same way we still don’t quite “get” all the fuss about soccer, but in much of Europe and certainly in Israel it’s HUGE. The whole country rallies behind its chosen contestant, who is seen as representing a more human and much less politically freighted image of Israel. Consider that before Barzilai took to the stage in Lisbon she got a phone call from Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who told her "you have an entire country behind you."

But if truth be told political considerations are never very far from anything in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leader of whom it can safely be said has had his hands full these past few weeks, opened his weekly cabinet meeting with a linguistic tip of the hat to the country's new star—and even flapped his way into a cabinet meeting with a brief chicken dance. Barzilai’s song Toy is a frenetic, Taylor Swift-esque ode to female empowerment (“I’m not your toy/you stupid boy!”), with references to Björk and Japanese pop culture (as well as the chicken dance for good measure). On learning of her win ecstatic fans were jumping into fountains in Tel Aviv in the middle of the night.

"The best part of the evening was when they called Cyprus as the second in the televote, meaning that Israel had won," said Kobi Hayat, a high-tech professional and self-professed Eurovision fanatic who had flown to Lisbon to cheer Israel's entrant on. "But the victory also means acceptance of Israel and Israeli culture in Europe, and also of Netta's message of anti-bullying and the #MeToo movement."

That said, another dimension to the win, after the initial euphoria subsides, is that Jerusalem has just officially stolen some of the cultural thunder away from the Israeli city that’s more accustomed to generating it—namely, Tel Aviv. This is because traditionally the winning contestant’s home country, and generally its capital city, hosts what has morphed into a very glitzy extravaganza the following year. Israel hasn't won the contest since 1998 and images of likely Eurovision venues in Jerusalem have already been appearing on social media. Look for that buzz to keep building, as even Netanyahu has said, "Those who didn't want Jerusalem in the Eurovision now get Eurovision in Jerusalem."

Add to the social media outpouring the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday and there can be little doubt that in the decades-old brotherly rivalry between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, this week Jerusalem is pulling ahead. That doesn't mean tensions aren't still high (and Tel Aviv still has plenty to offer). President Donald Trump's initial announcement about the embassy move generated some jitters about traveling to Israel and to Jerusalem specifically, but so far they have mostly been unfounded. The reality on the ground is that even when the embassy was in Tel Aviv, much official business was conducted in Jerusalem because it had to be—regardless of where embassies are, it's the official seat of the Israeli government.

If you are headed to Jerusalem this week or planning to any time soon, note that security preparations for the embassy move have been methodical and exhaustive. Some experts and former officials, including Dan Shapiro who was Ambassador to Israel under President Obama, have argued that Trump's decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem may in the long run actually have a stabilizing impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That said, in the short term it may be prudent to avoid traditional flash points such as the Temple Mount, where tourist access can be fraught at the best of times.

From the vibrant Mahane Yehuda marketplace to the diverse holy sites such as the Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the truly fabulous Israel Museum, Jerusalem has plenty on offer to keep you busy—and more culturally enriched than ever.</s>Netta from Israel, center, reacts as votes are announced during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Netta from Israel, center, reacts as votes are announced during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018.

Netta from Israel performs the song 'Toy' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Netta from Israel performs the song 'Toy' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Netta from Israel reacts as she wins the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Netta from Israel reacts as she wins the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018.

Netta from Israel celebrates after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Netta from Israel celebrates after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Netta from Israel, right, receives the trophy by Salvador Sobral after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Netta from Israel, right, receives the trophy by Salvador Sobral after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Elina Nechayeva from Estonia performs the song 'La Forza' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Elina Nechayeva from Estonia performs the song 'La Forza' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

A man takes the microphone of SuRie from Great Britain, right, as a security staff approaches in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. A man takes the microphone of SuRie from Great Britain, right, as a security staff approaches in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Benjamin Ingrosso from Sweden celebrates when a voting is announced in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Benjamin Ingrosso from Sweden celebrates when a voting is announced in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.

Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Cesar Sampson from Austria performs the song 'Nobody But You' in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, May 12, 2018 during the Eurovision Song Contest grand final.</s>LISBON — Israel's Netta Barzilai won the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon on Saturday, bringing Israel its fourth victory in the glitzy pageant, watched by over 200 million people around the world, and the right to host the event next year.

"Next time in Jerusalem!" Barzilai, a smiling 25-year-old live looping artist shouted after being named the winner. "I'm so happy! Thank you for accepting differences between us. Thank you for celebrating diversity!"

Wearing a Japanese-style kimono and geisha hairdo, she won with a lively dance mix, singing "I’m Not Your Toy" that has a women's empowerment twist, beating Cypriot entry Eleni Foureira with her fiery Latin pop song "Fuego."

"I believe that authenticity passes through," said Barzilai, who has previously described the message of her song as being about female power and justice, but with a happy, colourful vibe. Her instantly recognisable song began with Barzilai mimicking chicken clucking sounds to loud cheers from fans.

She normally uses a voice looping machine during her live shows, but not in the Eurovision contest where her backing vocalists produced a similar effect.

The Saturday night show had been briefly marred by a protester with a backpack who ran onto the stage and grabbed the microphone from British contestant SuRie. She quickly recomposed and continued to sing her song Storm a few moments later.

The man was arrested by police, said organizers, lamenting the incident.

Cyprus and Israel had been the bookmakers’ favourites going into the 63rd edition of the Eurovision contest, which was hosted in the Portuguese capital.

Israel made its debut in the contest in 1971 and had previously won in 1978, 1979 and 1998.

Other hopefuls with a social message included French duo Madame Monsieur, clad in black, with their song "Mercy", inspired by the story of a Nigerian refugee who gave birth to a baby girl aboard a boat that rescued her and hundreds of other refugees trying to cross to Europe. The baby's name is Mercy.

Lisbon hosted Eurovision for the first time this year after Portugal’s Salvador Sobral won last year’s contest in Ukraine.

The event was broadcast from the 20,000-capacity Altice Arena and projected simultaneously on giant screens on the city’s main Commerce Square overlooking the Tagus river, where thousands of music lovers from all over the world partied and cheered for their countries.

Tens of thousands of visitors further boosted the record tourist numbers in the city, where pop star Madonna fixed her residence last year. Lodging bookings had jumped by up to 80 percent in Eurovision week and officials expected the event publicity to lure more foreigners.</s>Netta Barzilai is sassy, she’s fun and she can sing — and now the Israeli has won the Eurovision Song Contest with a catchy techno dance tune about women’s empowerment.

The 25-year-old pre-competition favorite beat out competition from 42 other countries’ performers Saturday to claim the music extravaganza’s annual crown at the Grand Final with her song “Toy.”

There was a strong field of contestants at this year’s event in Lisbon, Portugal, which was watched by an estimated 200 million people. The votes coming in live from the capitals of participating countries delivered a tense finale, with Israel gripped in a tight, five-way race with Cyprus, Austria, Sweden and Germany.

Barzilai eventually racked up 529 points, compared with 436 for runner-up Cyprus with “Fuego” by Eleni Foureira, and 342 for third-place Austria with Cesar Sampson’s “Nobody But You.”

The contest largely shed its traditional hallmarks of glitz and glitter in favor of a more restrained and tasteful tone in Lisbon, which was hosting the event because it won last year with Salvador Sobral’s sober and subdued ballad “Amar pelos Dois.”

Sobral last week criticized “Toy” as “horrible music,” insisting the focus should be on the music and not the spectacle. But Barzilai, with her Asian-themed show in red and yellow and her dancers doing funky chicken moves, was unrepentant.

“I’m happy people chose something different. It’s refreshing,” she said. “I believe authenticity (shows) through.” Her win — Israel’s fourth and first since 1998 — means her country hosts next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

“Next time in Jersualem!” Barzilai shouted to the audience as she picked up her award. The international contest began as a competition between European countries, but its huge popularity has led to the inclusion of Israel and Australia among the performers.

Barzilai, known more usually as Netta, has a witty and endearing personality. Before the Grand Final, her song had already racked up more than 20 million views on Eurovision’s YouTube channel.

In “Toy,” Netta makes funny noises, including a clucking sound like a chicken and barely decipherable words, and uses a looping machine and synthesizer. The lyrics say, “I’m not your toy, You stupid boy, I’ll take you down.”

Portugal came last, with 39 points. Fans caught their breath when a protester ran onto the stage and snatched away the microphone of the United Kingdom’s contestant SuRie.

The man got hold of the microphone but was quickly tackled by security and taken away while SuRie stood by. The British singer kept her composure and picked up her song where she left off.

Previous editions of the annual event have also witnessed protesters getting onto the stage. The event is organized by the European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters. In each participating country, a jury and viewers award between one and a maximum 12 points to their favorite songs. Those votes are combined to give each country a single score.

Past winners have rarely become household names, but they include Swedish pop group ABBA and Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias.

For all the latest Entertainment News, download Indian Express App</s>LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Latest on the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest (all times local):

Netta Barzilai has won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel with her song "Toy."

Barzilai, who was the favorite to win ahead of Saturday's Grand Final, saw off competition from 42 other countries' performers to claim the music extravaganza's annual crown at a show in Lisbon, Portugal.

There was a strong field of contestants at this year's event, which largely shed its traditional hallmarks of glitz and glitter in favor of a more restrained and tasteful tone.

The international contest began as a competition between European countries, but its huge popularity has led to the inclusion of Israel and Australia among the performers.

Around 200 million people were expected to tune in to Saturday night's show.

Portugal earned the right to host the event because it won last year with Salvador Sobral's subdued ballad "Amar pelos Dois."

It's a duet for the ages: last year's winner Salvador Sobral is on the Eurovision Song Contest stage singing his successful song alongside Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso.

Sobral, 28, underwent a heart transplant last December and has been limiting his public appearances.

But sharing a stage at the Grand Final with Caetano, 75, on Saturday night was too good to miss. The pair appeared after all 26 countries at the competition had performed at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

Sobral has made no secret of the fact that he prefers quality music over the showy, glossy style favored in past Eurovision events. His ballad "Amar pelos Dois" was a massive success.

The last performance, by Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro of Italy, has concluded at the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Now the tense, drawn-out collating of international votes begins.

In each participating country, a jury and viewers award between one and a maximum 12 points to their favorite songs. Those votes are combined to give each country a single score.

No country can vote for its own contestant. By tradition, each announcement is made in English or French.

Barring technical glitches, the winner of the 2018 event should be crowned before midnight (2300 GMT) at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

A protester has climbed onto the stage in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest and snatched away the microphone of the United Kingdom's contestant SuRie.

The man got hold of the microphone but was quickly tackled by security and taken away while SuRie stood by.

The British singer kept her composure and carried on her with her song at the event in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday night. She appeared unhurt.

Previous editions of the annual event have also witnessed protesters getting onto the stage.

Contestants from 26 countries are taking part in the hugely popular contest.

The opening of the Grand Final of the 2018 European Song Contest is showcasing Portugal's traditional fado music.

Accompanied by a Portuguese 12-string guitar and drums, fado singers Ana Moura and Mariza — two of the genre's biggest stars — opened the performance on Saturday night.

Beatbombers, a Portuguese DJ duo, then mixed a classic fado song with a techno beat while the contestants representing 26 countries paraded across the stage with their national flags.

More than 10,000 people are in the audience at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, and thousands more are watching the show at a downtown fan zone. An expected 200 million people will tune in across the world.

A lot of thought went into the lineup for the Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final.

The event's producer, Christer Bjorkman, assesses each of the annual event's 26 performers, figuring out how to create the best show. He juggles ballads with heavy rock, and balances solo acts with bands, to get the tempo right.

He says: "You want to start with good energy. You want to get the party going." Ukrainian entry MELOVIN is first up on Saturday night with his song "Under The Ladder."

One headache for organizers is the turnover time between acts of just 40 seconds. That's not much time to get the props off stage, though the commercial breaks offer more breathing space for the crew.

Lights, music, action! Europe's annual music extravaganza is about to begin, with many people expecting a vintage year.

The Grand Final of the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest will crown one of 26 entries with dreams of following in the footsteps of past winners such as Swedish pop group ABBA and Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias.

The show is taking place at Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday night, starting at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT.) Some 200 million people around the world are expected to be watching.

The event started out as a competition between European countries, but its huge popularity has led to the inclusion of Israel and Australia as contestants.

The country which furnishes the winner organizes the following year's competition. Portugal won last year with Salvador Sobral's subdued ballad "Amar pelos Dois."

The kitsch is conspicuously absent this year and the usual extravagant stage effects are nowhere to be seen. Could the Eurovision Song Contest finally be focusing on the music?

The annual Euro-pop fest has long been the glittery home of outlandish costumes, high-voltage stage effects, forgettable tunes and kitschy acts like last year's dancing gorilla.

But Portugal — which hosting this year's event because its entry, Salvador Sobral, won with a restrained solo ballad last year in Ukraine — is putting on a show with stylish, elegant performances by a strong field of competitors. And it's doing that with a $23.8 million budget that officials say is the most restrained since 2008.

That means the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest is heading to what many predict will be an exceptional year.</s>Netta Barzilai has won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel with her song “Toy,” AP reported.

Barzilai, who was the favorite to win ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final, saw off competition from 42 other countries’ performers to claim the music extravaganza’s annual crown at a show in Lisbon, Portugal.

There was a strong field of contestants at this year’s event, which largely shed its traditional hallmarks of glitz and glitter in favor of a more restrained and tasteful tone.

The international contest began as a competition between European countries, but its huge popularity has led to the inclusion of Israel and Australia among the performers.</s>Eurovision 2018: Who won the Eurovision Song Contest final? Winner revealed as Israel singer Netta Barzilai Austria won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest final, it has been confirmed.

The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Lisbon, Portugal this year following Salvador Sobral's win last year.

Graham Norton returned to host the UK coverage of the popular competition, which will was held in the Portugese capital Lisbon.

After months of fans counting down to the famous event, the contest finally arrived with all the usual drama and excitement Eurovision brings.

But who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2018? Here's everything you need to know...

After a dramatic grand final, the winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest was revealed as Israel singer Netta Barzilai .

What is the Eurovision Song Contest?

The Eurovision Song Contest is the longest-running annual international TV singing competition in history.

Since 1956 it has been held, primarily, among the member countries of the European Broadcasting Union, with each participating country submitting an original song to be performed on live television and radio before casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner.

As well as being one of the longest-running television programmes in the world, Eurovision is also one of the most watched non-sporting events in the world.

Who represented the UK at Eurovision 2018?

It was decided earlier this year that singer SuRie would represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

A panel made of up of stars like Rylan Clark-Neal, Rochelle Humes and Tom Fletcher judged the Eurovision: You Decide competition, with their votes combining with those of the public to make the final decision.

SuRie has previously sung at Eurovision – as a backing singer for previous acts in both the 2015 and 2017 contests.

Taking to the stage as the main performer, SuRie performed her original song Storm, which she described as "a smash".

Who was favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest?

Favourite to win Eurovision was Israel's singer Netta, who studied at the prestigious Rimon School of Music in the Electronic Studies Department.

The 25 year old musician was given odds of 7/4 to win from Betfair, while the bookmakers gavethe UK a 100/1 chance of winning.

Cyprus was also promoted by Betway to odds of 5/2 from 66/1 overnight, following Eleni Foureira's stunning performance at the semi-finals earlier this week</s>Barzilai, 25, won singing "Toy," written and produced by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger. Barzilai has an "extensive background in music," according to Eurovision's website. She studied music in high school and at Israel's Rimon School of Music.

Barzilai thanked her fans Saturday in a video on Eurovision's Twitter account.

"Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for choosing different. Thank you for choosing daring. I love you, keep that going. Do good to others, be good to yourselves," she said, ending her smiling remarks with, "That's about it, let's party!"

This year's contest was broadcast from Lisbon, Portugal.

Here it is, the final results for #Eurovision Song Contest 2018! #ESC2018 #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/FcXZVR6zod — Eurovision (@Eurovision) May 12, 2018 Cyprus took home second place in this year's competition and Austria came in third. is staged by the public broadcasters that are members of the European Broadcasting Union, which stretches from western Europe to the Balkans and Russia -- and also includes Israel. is staged by the public broadcasters that are members of the European Broadcasting Union, which stretches from western Europe to the Balkans and Russia -- and also includes Israel. Eurovision is staged by the public broadcasters that are members of the European Broadcasting Union, which stretches from western Europe to the Balkans and Russia -- and also includes Israel. This is the 63rd year of the competition, according to the contest's website.</s>LISBON (Reuters) - Israel’s Netta Barzilai won the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon on Saturday, bringing Israel its fourth victory in the glitzy pageant, watched by over 200 million people around the world, and the right to host the event next year.

“Next time in Jerusalem!” Barzilai, a smiling 25-year-old live looping artist shouted after being named the winner. “I’m so happy! Thank you for accepting differences between us. Thank you for celebrating diversity!”

She won with a lively dance mix, singing “I’m Not Your Toy” that has a women’s empowerment twist, beating Cypriot entry Eleni Foureira with her fiery Latin pop song “Fuego”.

Cyprus and Israel had been the bookmakers’ favorites going into the 63rd edition of the Eurovision contest, which was hosted in the Portuguese capital Lisbon.
Israeli singer Netta Barzilai wins the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal, with her song Toy. This is Israel's first Eurovision win in the 21st century and fourth overall.