Israeli Eurovision representative Noam Bardin has declared victory despite finishing in second place at the international song contest in Vienna on Sunday evening. Speaking to journalists shortly after the competition concluded, Bardin expressed gratitude to audiences both at home and around the world for their support throughout the competition.
“From my perspective, we won,” Bardin said, reflecting on Israel’s strong showing at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. “Second place is amazing, particularly given our circumstances, given the boycotts and everything we’ve experienced here. It’s been a lot, but I feel proud to stand here.”
Bardin’s comments came after an emotionally charged competition that saw Israel face significant controversy and protests ahead of and during the event. Despite the challenging backdrop, the Israeli entry secured a notable result on the Eurovision stage. “I love you all, thank you so much,” he added, addressing supporters who had backed Israel’s participation throughout the contest.
The second-place finish marks a significant achievement for Israel at this year’s Eurovision, coming amid heightened tensions and calls from some quarters for the country’s exclusion from the competition. Bardin’s upbeat response suggests the Israeli delegation viewed the result as a moral and artistic success regardless of the final ranking.
Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.
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