On Saturday she became the new Queen of Israel, and the country’s first Eurovision winner in twenty years.

And on Monday evening Netta Barzilai attended her informal coronation, performing “Toy” to a capacity crowd in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square (which you may remember as the site of the Israel Calling 2018 concert).

Prior to the celebratory event she spoke at a short press conference at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

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“This is a great moment for me, for the [Israeli] delegation and for the country,” Haaretz quotes her as saying. “I am happy that we managed to create a reason for joy in a country that does not have a lot of reasons to celebrate.”

“We are all hoarse, we celebrated all night and we didn’t sleep.”

“I want to thank to all the amazing people who accompanied me throughout this past half year, they never lost hope and promised me all along the way that victory was ours. A lot of congratulations to us and all of Israel.”

Prior to landing, The Next Star for Eurovision winner treated passengers on her El-Al flight to a reprise of “Toy”.

As she sings “look at me I’m a beautiful creature,” you can hear airline crew and passengers clapping along.

Dana International on Netta’s win

As Netta clucked her way to victory in Lisbon, Israel’s last Eurovision winner Dana International watched nervously from Moscow.

She told Haaretz that it wasn’t a nice experience, as she was in a hurry to see Netta handed the trophy.

“To be honest, I didn’t really enjoy it,” she says. “I reached the conclusion that when Israel is an almost certain favorite to win, and you want so much for it to happen, viewing the entire contest isn’t really an experience.”

“You can’t really enjoy any song, you only want to see Netta and to get to the awarding of points already.”

The “Diva” singer says she feels a deep connection to Netta, who she now considers her sister.

“Anyone who sings, ‘Look at me, I’m beautiful’ and ‘Wonder Woman don’t you ever forget, you’re divine,’ is already my sister in her thinking and her approach to the world. And when that’s accompanied by those charming chicken clucks, then really.”

“As someone who clucked ‘Ku ku ruku’ [in the song “Magnona”] I feel that there’s something there that reminds me of myself. As though ordinary language isn’t enough for us, and there’s some kind of need to say things differently. The internal chicken in us is calling on people to listen to us.”

Read more Israel Eurovision news

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Galit
Galit
5 years ago

Here is some more of genius Netta in the Navy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1tg3BUp2r8

Aags
Aags
5 years ago

I do not pretend to be arrogant, or not wanting to disrespect any of the entrie but i think Salvador Sobral ‘saved’, the show whit his amazing performance.
I have no doubt that if he had competed again this year, he would have won one more time.

taco
taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Aags

That is your opinion and that is ok.
I for one, did not enjoy his performance at all, sorry:) I did love the Fado singer at the beginning, she was amazing!

aags
aags
5 years ago

Here’s the Netta – TOY , Portuguese React by Rúben Branco 🙂
https://youtu.be/BancxV7nBKU

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Spain sent a gallo in 2017 and finished last. Israel did chicken dance in Lisbon and won. Simple logic: Europe hates Spain. ^^

PieEater
PieEater
5 years ago

This song will age as milk. It is going to end bellow “running scared” in every fan favorite winner poll

Oscillate
Oscillate
5 years ago
Reply to  PieEater

I will only believe you if you manage to spell words correctly.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  PieEater

Lol It has already curdled for me

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  PieEater

Doesn’t matter – because right now 43 Million have seen her music video and 20 Million her Grand Final winning performance.

Phillip
Phillip
5 years ago
Reply to  Anita

Fun fact: You can use a service to buy views in YT.

taco
taco
5 years ago
Reply to  PieEater

I don’t agree. The song is still growing on me. And I actually liked Running Scared too. Lovely song, with a catchy chorus.
You see…music taste differ.

Dalth
Dalth
5 years ago
Reply to  PieEater

Harsh it’s not that bad, agree that it won’t go down as a classic but still quite like it

florin
florin
5 years ago

those dancers behind netta are on drugs

melani
melani
5 years ago

can you please start to talk about nusic and art and not about politics?
Ireland, Island… if you don’t want to come – don’t come, the eurovision would be great without you.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  melani

Not true. Eurovision is about unity (and bad costumes that give us life) so it would not be great without Ireland or Iceland just because you are a whining b***

Anna
Anna
5 years ago

It’s just annoying.
If someone reaches to your border with the aim of hitting / killing you, wouldn’t you do anything to prevent it from happening

????
????
5 years ago

It’s just annoying.
If someone reaches to your border with the aim of hitting / killing you, wouldn’t you do anything to prevent it from happening

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago

Salvador bushed her, not william. Wake up

Sara
Sara
5 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Get over it. Move on people

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago

Dana International supported the uk and said that israel doesnt deserve to win. But now she supports her. Hillarious

boi
boi
5 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

she didnt say israel didnt deserve to win… the f did u hear that from??? in israel calling dana said that if netta wins she will celebrate by jumping into the water in rabins squire

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago
Reply to  boi

from her.

Iris
Iris
5 years ago
Reply to  boi

He read that in British media which almost always distorts anything coming from Israel – its not his fault, he’s just high on fake news.

Eyal
Eyal
5 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Enough with the lies!

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

Awesome job, Netta! 🙂

aags
aags
5 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

What job????
I think it’s time for her to get a real job in a chicken henhouse .

taco
taco
5 years ago
Reply to  aags

You think you are funny Aags? Its not even original… everyone who wanted to be rude to Netta, already made jokes about the chicken…

LeGrand
LeGrand
5 years ago

I think it helped us win… bad publicity is good publicity so thank you wiwibloggs.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

2019 is gonna be SO DOPE. Ain’t no party like an Israeli party! Europe’s gonna get down to that Meditarranean beat and it’s gonna be awesome!

sevzch
sevzch
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

This is exactly what people shuld think about israel hosting next year… but sadly they focus on politics instead,,, sad!

Toni
Toni
5 years ago

Why are we talking about Salvador’s comments? Most people realised they had made a huge mistake by voting for him right after he gave his “speech” during receiving the winning thropy. It was no speech, it was a rant, a hateful arrogant rant against all genres of music but his own. It did not come as a suprise that he would be hateful towards any winning song at ESC. “Music is not fireworks, it’s a feeling”. Music is both, not just one or the other. All music gives you a feeling. Why are we not talking about how Wiwibloggs published… Read more »

Sara
Sara
5 years ago
Reply to  Toni

Who is mentioning Sobral? Yeah, you. Move on yourself

Toni
Toni
5 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Eh. Tons of comments BELOW.

PieEater
PieEater
5 years ago
Reply to  Toni

Most people or you and a few salty fans? He ranks well on fans best winner, tho Euphoria is still the best winner ofc

Toni
Toni
5 years ago

They also published an article of this Spanish person saying Netta is a chubby chicken…

Adam
Adam
5 years ago

LOL there is many comments here that say “shame on Israelis for celebrating this day”. while they are celberating a great reason (wining ESC), Palestinains & their leader actually celebrate & share candies at 9/11 and on any time Israelis been killed. So stop your “poor & victim” propagdna. oh, and stop bringing BABIES & WUNDED WOMEN to your violance protest just for PR pictures when they getting hurt.this is disgusting animal behavior even for you.

Toni
Toni
5 years ago

Toy #10 World-Wide iTunes Charts, #3 on Spotify Global Viral. Fuego at #14 and #9 on Spotify

melani
melani
5 years ago
Reply to  Toni

but nobody talk about that here. ONLY politics. so sad..
good job Netta and Eleni!

NoGeoblocks
NoGeoblocks
5 years ago

So glad to see her so happy! Worthy winner of a very tough competition.

Niello
Niello
5 years ago

Shut up !

Caliope
Caliope
5 years ago

Ohh cute. How do you even know that is a Portuguese person writing? For all I care it could be you that wrote that.
William is probably tired or has other professional commitments, he isn’t here to entertain you. Show some respect and be grateful there is a space where you can read Eurovision news or move on.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Cuz drama, and drama is always newsworthy at Eurovision.

Caliope
Caliope
5 years ago

Her song is horrible. That was hardly news anyway.
As Portuguese I am not offended, so would appreciate if you don’t use my voice in your argument please. People are responsible for their own actions.
Congrats to Netta and I condemn criticizing her or her looks and hate speech. I will however be happy next year when I can vote again.
P.S. You are also being a bit of a drama queen

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago

Because the former winner having a negative comment over a top contender is newsworthy?

Don’t shoot William cause hes the messenger, dude. I’ve never seen much of an agenda from the guy on here. If anything, this site was pro-Netta the entire way. She did score the highest in the jury reviews, after all.

Don’t be so sensitive. Roll with the punches.

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago

Gonna be honest, dude. Spamming the same thing over and over is more annoying than it is helping your point.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

The true winner is Jon Ola, because he finally nailed his lines.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Best comment in a long while! LOOOOOOOL! So true! Jon Ola has been responsible for some of the cringeworthiest moments in Eurovision history since he is in charge. But this time around he did nail his lines! It was about time, I guess

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

– Please William delete the political and negative and hateful comments – this will not stop until you do something. IMHO

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago
Reply to  Anita

Or, y’know, let people voice their opinions. If its stupid, call them out for it.

Gudrun
Gudrun
5 years ago

WTF!!! OMG, I’m seriously shocked rn.. So many people died and they are literally celebrating it!! What is wrong with u people??? Jesus!!

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago

LMAO.

That $43 billion we give in foreign aid is us just caring about ourselves?

Not to mention the gallons of blood and treasure we’ve spilt in the name of freedom for other nations.

No Thanks
No Thanks
5 years ago

Watch it? No thanks! Now that Eurovision is over, thankfully I don’t have to watch this performance anymore. 😀

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago
Reply to  No Thanks

Wait, why is this getting as many downvotes as the “Israel’s celebrating while people are dying!” idiocy?

Come on people. Just becaue you disagree doesn’t mean you downvote. Save that for the truly stupid stuff.

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago

No, rioting and attempting to invade because a country moved an embassy is against what Eurovision stands for. Not protecting your border from terrorists.

Israel’s right to keep going about life, despite the fact that their neighbors are salty little babies who can’t tolerate a simple diplomatic procedure between two consenting sovereign nations.

Claudio
Claudio
5 years ago

WOW people and Europe really LOVE Netta !!!

Cyprus was my favorite. BUT really happy next year is in Jerusalem. Israel is the capital of party and LGBT+. I love Israel and Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

I will be there. And for the first time a lot of countries already confirmed their participation. It’s gonna be HUGE in 2019. Can’t wait for the tickets.
PLEASE I want Dana International as Host.

2452
2452
5 years ago
Reply to  Claudio

everyone in israel wants Gal Gadot to host lol

Pancake
Pancake
5 years ago
Reply to  2452

Why not both Gal Gadot and Dana International as host while Harel is the spokesperson and either Mei Finegold or Imri Ziv in the green room

florinho
florinho
5 years ago

“You can’t really enjoy any song, you only want to see Netta and to get to the awarding of points already.” yea cuz you paid big money for the win

Eyal
Eyal
5 years ago
Reply to  florinho

Stop spreading lies.

2452
2452
5 years ago
Reply to  florinho

Sure, we paid all Europe to vote for us, thats why we won the televote. ppl r so dumb

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago
Reply to  2452

Y’know, everyone talks about the Jews owning everything, and buying people off, and yet, I’ve been pro-Israel my whole life, and I haven’t seen a cent of that sweet sweet Jew money.

Feelin’ kinda disappointed, tbh.

Kiwicelt
Kiwicelt
5 years ago
Reply to  2452

2452 my friends in Europe are still waiting for their Euro20 moneywire from Israel’s delegation, when can it be expected?

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago
Reply to  Kiwicelt

That’s why you take the money up front, dude.

2452
2452
5 years ago
Reply to  Kiwicelt

kiwicelt
ez scam my friend 🙂

LeGrand
LeGrand
5 years ago
Reply to  florinho

Eat your heart moron. WE WON JUST DEAL WITH IT!

Sara
Sara
5 years ago

Glad that Israel finds something to cheer about!