Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon on Saturday, watched by over 200 million people around the world and bringing Israel its fourth victory in the glitzy pageant and the right to host the event next year.
Israel made its debut in the contest in 1973 and won in 1978, 1979 and 1998.
Wearing a Japanese-style kimono and geisha hairdo, Barzilai won with the lively "Toy," a catchy techno-dance tune about women's empowerment, beating Cypriot entry Eleni Foureira with her fiery Latin pop song "Fuego."
Barzilai normally uses a voice looping machine during her live shows, but was not permitted to do so in the Eurovision contest, where her backing vocalists produced a similar effect instead.
Cyprus and Israel had been the bookmakers' favorites this year, the contest's 63rd edition.
The Eurovision's official YouTube channel said recently that Barzilai's music video became the channel's 10th most watched of all time, with over 25 million views in only two months.
Eurovision is organized by the European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters. This year's event in Lisbon featured a strong field of contestants, and the votes coming in live from the capitals of participating countries delivered a tense finale, with Israel gripped in a tight, five-way race against Cyprus, Austria, Sweden and Germany.
After her performance, Barzilai tweeted, "I've given all my heart and soul to #Eurovision, and now it's your turn," calling on voters to cast their ballots for her song.
She eventually racked up 529 points, compared with 436 for Cypriot runner-up Foureira and 342 for third-place winner Cesar Sampson of Austria, singing "Nobody But You."
Portugal, last year's winner, came last, with 39 points.
Speaking with reporters after her win, the 25-year-old singer said, "I'm happy people chose something different. It's refreshing. I believe authenticity [shows] through."
She thanked everyone who voted, saying, "Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for choosing different. Thank you for choosing daring."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Barzilai to congratulate her on her win.
"You've made all of us proud," he said. "Next year in Jerusalem!"
Before the competition, President Reuven Rivlin spoke with Barzilai, saying, "I wanted to speak to you before it all begins to tell you how proud we are of you, regardless of tonight's outcome.
"You're a talented and wonderful artist, who places Israel at center stage, and I'd like to thank you for the road you've taken thus far. You're a symbol of victory to us all. When you go on stage tonight, remember – you're not alone, you have an entire country behind you."
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat also congratulated Barzilai and thanked her for giving his city the chance to host the competition.
"The city of Jerusalem will grant any help needed in putting up Eurovision 2019 in the capital of Israel and together we will expose the beautiful face of Jerusalem to the whole world," he said, according to Hebrew media reports.
Speaking with the Kan public broadcaster, Barzilai said she was looking forward to the world seeing "the Israeli carnival" when Jerusalem hosts the contest next year.
