Eurovision fans accuse Israeli champion of cultural appropriation after the singer performed her winning song in a kimono - Daily Mail

backwards': Eurovision fans accuse Israeli champion of cultural appropriation after the singer performed her winning song in a kimono
Netta Barzilai came first in the Eurovision song contest scoring 529 points
The Israeli winner performed a song named TOY dressed in a kimono
Viewers of the show have accused her of appropriating Japanese culture
By Martha Cliff for MailOnline

PUBLISHED: 18:19 AEST, 13 May 2018 | UPDATED: 20:53 AEST, 13 May 2018

Israel's Eurovision entry won with a landslide victory of 529 points at the annual singing competition last night - but not everyone was pleased by her win.

Viewers have since taken to Twitter to accuse Israeli Netta of cultural appropriation describing the win as 'a massive step backwards.'

Netta Barzilai took home the crown thanks to her performance of TOY, which featured an unusual chicken dance.

Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai has been accused of cultural appropriation by viewers due to her Japanese inspired set and costume +3
Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai has been accused of cultural appropriation by viewers due to her Japanese inspired set and costume

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The 25-year-old took to the stage wearing a pink and black silk kimono - traditional Japanese costume with her hair in roller buns, a style synonymous with Japanese culture.

She performed to a backdrop of Maneki-nekos, a Japanese figurine depicting a waving cat and is thought to bring the owner good luck.

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The not-so-subtle links to the country did not go unnoticed by viewers who took to Twitter to share their disappointment.

One wrote: 'So how come no one's calling Israel out on their cultural appropriation?'

Agreeing another added: 'Yeah okay Israel your song is catchy but what is up with cultural appropriation that nobody seems to be talking about?'

The Israeli entry performed a song called TOY which saw her take first prize - but many viewers were left offended by the clear nods to Japanese culture +3
The Israeli entry performed a song called TOY which saw her take first prize - but many viewers were left offended by the clear nods to Japanese culture

While viewers were pleased by the feminist message behind the song they were disappointed with the appropriation
While viewers were pleased by the feminist message behind the song they were disappointed with the appropriation

Another commented on the political situation in Israel describing the win as a step backwards
Another commented on the political situation in Israel describing the win as a step backwards

'So cringy cultural appropriation won #eurovision' added a third.

MailOnline has contacted Eurovision for a comment.

Despite criticism Netta has proved a hit with the public with TOY receiving over 25 million views on YouTube ahead of the show.

She was the second favourite to win prior to this evening's show, but beat Cyprus' Eleni Foureira in a closely-fought contest.

Others said that it was 'cringy' to see Israel win due to the accusations of cultural appropriation
Others said that it was 'cringy' to see Israel win due to the accusations of cultural appropriation

Despite criticism Netta has proved a hit with the public with TOY receiving over 25 million views on YouTube ahead of the show and came first with 529 points +3
Despite criticism Netta has proved a hit with the public with TOY receiving over 25 million views on YouTube ahead of the show and came first with 529 points

The song, which the artist said was about women's empowerment and represented the #MeToo movement, proved a hit with both the public and jury and saw her narrowly secure victory over Eleni Foureira's performance of 'Fuego'.

She managed to secure the win with 529 points, compared to runner-up Cyprus on 436 points. Austria's Cesar Sampson, who was winning the jury vote, finished third with 342 points for his performance of 'Nobody But You'.

Speaking after her win, Barzilai said: 'I am so happy. Thank you so much. Thank you for supporting diversity.'

The next Eurovision is expected to be held in Israel following the country's fourth win in the competition's 63 year history.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5723023/Eurovision-fans-accuse-Israeli-winner-cultural-appropriation.html#ixzz5FNWUHNfg
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