Jerusalem 'only capital not mentioned during voting process'

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’

By Michael Bachner 13 May 2018, 10:37 am
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Michael Bachner is a news editor at The Times of Israel

BDS supporters with a pro-Palestinian banner urging Europeans to give "zero point to apartheid" and not vote for Israel's Eurovision entry in Lisbon, Portugal on May 12, 2018. (Eurovision boycott of Israel - ZERO points to the song of Israeli Apartheid/Facebook)
BDS supporters with a pro-Palestinian banner urging Europeans to give "zero point to apartheid" and not vote for Israel's Eurovision entry in Lisbon, Portugal on May 12, 2018. (Eurovision boycott of Israel - ZERO points to the song of Israeli Apartheid/Facebook)

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.

Several protesters carried pro-Palestinian banners outside the contest venue in Lisbon, Portugal, but said that attempts to raise them were thwarted.

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!”

https://twitter.com/orlanicbiorna/status/995441176802201603

https://twitter.com/NaoTseTung/status/995439374824337411

https://twitter.com/iziuel/status/995444107182006272

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.”

https://twitter.com/uncoolamy/status/995429727497224192

https://twitter.com/_Shanus_/status/995435965597528064

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.”

https://twitter.com/Partisangirl/status/995440497664507904

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.”

https://twitter.com/bar_nega/status/995441541509472261

Need I say more?

Posted by FE King on Saturday, May 12, 2018

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