Activists censure Netta’s ‘cultural appropriation,’ cover for ‘apartheid’
BDS-affiliated Twitter users promise ‘big campaign’ against next year’s Eurovision in Jerusalem; others decry ‘racism’ of Asian motifs; J.K. Rowling praises ‘worthy winner’

While Israelis were celebrating Netta Barzilai’s win in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday, many social media users were decrying the “cultural appropriation” of East Asian culture in her performance, while others criticized Israel for its policies and Europeans for voting for the Jewish state’s entry.
“How can Eurovision celebrate diversity and inclusion when steps away Palestinians are getting shot in the head? Eurovision is about to get very ugly,” one user tweeted.
Meanwhile, there was criticism in Israel over reported orders to the Eurovision hosts not to mention Jerusalem during the voting process.
A reporter for Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, published a document detailing the capital of all countries along with the name, gender and profession of the person presenting that country’s votes. But for Israel, the document said “only ‘Israel’ to be mentioned” but not its capital city, according to Kan.
#Eurovision official document: Israel was the only country that an order was given not to say it's capital (Jerusalem) in the voting phase pic.twitter.com/kfX9Zwrhkk
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) May 13, 2018
Several protesters carried pro-Palestinian banners outside the contest venue in Lisbon, Portugal, but said that attempts to raise them were thwarted.
Two attempts at raising a banner near the #Eurovision compound which exposes Israeli crimes were met with attempts to arrest the banner holders, constant surveillance & intimidation. Was all of that done in order to protect ISRAELI CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY?#ZeroPointsIsrael #BDS pic.twitter.com/YPxQG1fgnV
— ronnie barkan (@ronnie_barkan) May 12, 2018
Meanwhile, a Facebook page affiliated with the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and dedicated to promoting a boycott of “the song of Israeli apartheid,” vowed to hold a big campaign against the Jewish state in the year leading up to the 2019 contest in Jerusalem.
“Thanks to everyone for raising awareness of the occupation and apartheid practiced by our country, Israel!” the page wrote after Israel’s win. “We now have a year to show the true face of Israeli apartheid, and Jerusalem is a prime example. Stay tuned for a big campaign!”
Israel currently occupying first position, and Palestine. #Eurovision
— Joe O'Connor (@Jocser99) May 12, 2018
Shocked at the support for Israel tonight in the #Eurovision. People seem to forget that they are a Zionist state illegally occupying Palestine. #FreePalestine ????????
— Órla Nic Biorna (@orlanicbiorna) May 12, 2018
Israel won with a "feminist song" because we all know that killing innocent women every day is very feminist. Yeah. Fuck off. #EUROVISION
— ene.y (@NaoTseTung) May 12, 2018
Petition to not allow countries that carry out genocides participate in #Eurovision. The Israel they want you to see vs the Israel you must never forget. pic.twitter.com/3xRxUj9Xel
— CAROLINE (@iziuel) May 12, 2018
But that was not the only criticism of Israel’s win. Some pointed to “racism” in the performance and “cultural appropriation” of Japanese and Chinese culture.
“That performance was super racist, she has literally styled her makeup to make herself look Asian,” said one user, while British actor Jassa Ahluwalia dubbed it “yellowface.”
Why do I feel like this stage is quite racist ? #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/gjR6uZDnq7
— ⋈ Anna (=^-^=) (@mrs_annanas) May 12, 2018
Are we not gonna talk about the Asian cultural appropriation in Israel's entry #Eurovision2018
— amy x (@uncoolamy) May 12, 2018
#eurovision Japans culture is NOT your eurovision entry pic.twitter.com/VG2NPSJY0e
— Shane? (@_Shanus_) May 12, 2018
A Syrian user also charged that Israel had “culturally appropriated Palestinian drumbeats,” adding that the performance “highlighted the fact they have no culture of their own.”
Isn't it obvious where all the "SJW acceptance" stuff is coming from? Israel sells it to the world while literally stabbing Palestinian babies to death in an ethnic cleansing campaign. #Eurovision #Eurovisionisrael #Eurovisionisoverpartyhttps://t.co/Q3AbbcLqzP
— Partisangirl ???????? (@Partisangirl) May 12, 2018
Southern #Gaza was bombed by #Israel hours ago but the world is too busy celebrating the Israeli winner in #Eurovision because apparently our lives ain't worthy anyway.
— Omar Ghraieb???????? (@Omar_Gaza) May 12, 2018
But Israeli users hit back, as did Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who recently slammed anti-Semitism on her Twitter page.
“Well done Israel,” she wrote. “Worthy winner.”
Me reading your hate comments about Netta while knowing the next #Eurovision is going to be in Israel BECAUSE WE WON pic.twitter.com/JI5pG4lptc
— Golden Sheba????????✨ (@bar_nega) May 12, 2018
The quantity of antisemitism being widely and openly expressed by left wing/far left/self designated socialists on Twitter this evening/morning is absolutely jaw-dropping.
All because #Israel won the #Eurovision song contest!
— Thomas Evans ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? (@ThomasEvansGB) May 13, 2018
To all you BDS'ers, Antisemites & haters!
Regards, #Israel! #Eurovision 2019 in Jerusalem! pic.twitter.com/GfzvJiT2nw
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) May 12, 2018
Need I say more?
Posted by FE King on Saturday, 12 May 2018
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