BDS targets Israeli Eurovision winner’s European tour

Eurovision contest winner Netta Barzilai’s European tour is being targeted by the BDS movement. 

By TPS

Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta Barzilai’s European tour, which begins in Vienna, is being targeted by anti-Israel boycott movements that have called for her to be given a “warm BDS welcome.”

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement called for a boycott of Barzilai, who won the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Toy” in Lisbon earlier this year, due to what activists are calling her role in the Israeli government’s efforts to whitewash its violations of Palestinian human rights.

An article on the BDS Facebook page said that while the movement usually targets Israeli institutions and not “individuals based on their identity” Barzilai is a “representative of Israel and a cultural ambassador” and “has clearly been recruited to participate in Israel’s rebranding efforts.”

The Netta Tour will begin in Austria and will continue in Switzerland, Germany and France, ending on November 21st in London.

Boycott attempts against Israel have enjoyed some success, most recently the Molins de Rei Municipality in Catalonia, Spain cancelled a water polo venue for a match between Israel and Spain due to pressure from BDS activists.

Pop singer Lana Del Rey cancelled her performance at Israel’s Meteor Festival in September. BDS members have also protested against Israeli artists such as Idan Raichel, Asaf Avidan and the Batsheva Dance Company.