Israeli Eurovision hero says there's no place for boycott

JERUSALEM -- Israel's winner of last year's Eurovision song contest says there is no place for boycott calls of this year's competition in Tel Aviv.

Netta Barzilai told a group of foreign journalists Monday that the Eurovision was established in the wake of the Second World War to heal a torn continent by being a "festival of light."

She says: "For people to boycott light is spreading darkness."

The singer's win with the catchy pop anthem "Toy" earned Israel the honour of hosting the 2019 Eurovision competition next month.

But supporters of the BDS movement, a Palestinian-led campaign advocating boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, have been calling on artists to pull out of this year's contest because of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

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