Published: 23 May 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
It’s not hard to see the appeal of this song from a social perspective, too; when asked about the message of the song, Netta’s response was that it was a manifesto of “the awakening of female empowerment and social justice”. By name and nature, Toy is a celebration of autonomy and a rejection of the objectification of women, “wrapped in a colourful, happy vibe”, and visually it is as exciting as the sentiments.
Netta’s success in Lisbon also signalled a victory for Israel, as well as a global celebration for the feminist movement. Only days after her win, however, Israeli forces opened fire on dozens of unarmed protesters near the Gaza border. A chilling welcome home.
The world’s eyes turned to Israel and Gaza, with ferocious attacks and oblique denials raging on all sides of the political spectrum. The speed at which comment churned out to cover every possible angle was alarming but expected. What I didn’t expect was the barrage of opinions, professional and very much amateur, connecting Netta to Gaza.
My initial reaction was to dismiss it as critics of Israel grasping at straws, but the more I read, the more I began to question Netta’s political limbo on this matter. If she felt so strongly about an issue of social and political significance that she performed a song about it, why would she not extend her presumably progressive voice to other matters?
Whether justified or not, there seems to be an expectation that being outspoken on female empowerment automatically presumes an association with other liberal causes. In this scenario, Netta’s politics of feminism would be accompanied by a commentary on injustices towards Palestinians, for example.
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But we aren’t seeing it. Netta is noticeably absent on this stage, keeping quiet about the events in Gaza as well as being demonstrably neutral in relation to the government and its leader. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Twitter account featured a photo of the Prime Minister and Netta, in full costume, performing her signature “chicken dance” at an official ceremony. Fuelled by this display, many were quick to point out her silence on Gaza.
However, she has no obligation to speak on the injustices occurring in Gaza. Maybe Toy was just a three-minute shot at global attention and musical fame. If so, her song’s message has been diluted by her silence on Israel’s current pressing issue. Would we still refer to it as Israel’s current pressing issue?
A friend recently labelled Netta’s silence as an example of “purple-washing”, a term used to describe the practice of presenting something as feminist in order to mask a conservative agenda. (It’s a term derived from “pink-washing”, which refers to the same practice in LGBTQI culture).
In a post-victory interview, Netta remarked: “how great that we got to change the image [of Israel] … We deserve it.” While this should not make her be seen as part of some intricate right-wing conspiracy to distract the public from Gaza, behind this comment lies a convenient silence on an issue that should matter to someone as apparently politically active and socially aware.
Many have been calling for Netta to at least mention the acts of injustices committed by her country against the Palestinian people, in order for those with mixed feelings on her success to be satisfied with her position against military violence.
Others have simply boycotted her song and Israel itself – people in Iceland have recently commenced a petition to cancel Eurovision in Israel next year on the grounds of human rights abuses; in the past week alone securing 22,000 signatures.
I fear that Netta has become the one thing that she sang so passionately about on stage in Lisbon, a toy being used by conservative politics but masked by progressive, feminist values.
Certainly, Netta may have simply been a performer in a largely superficial cultural event, with her success being of no particular political consequence. However, if she is to be taken seriously as a social commentator and political activist, she needs to reject being used as a toy and embrace the power of her voice beyond the stage.
AND SEE
‘Don’t book flights yet’: Eurovision casts doubt over 2019 contest in Israel (Times of Israel)
Israeli sources reportedly say organizers concerned about politicization due to 'unacceptable' comments by ministers Miri Regev and Ayoub Kara
Israel lodges official protest over Dutch parody of Eurovision winner 'Toy' (Haaretz)
Dutch TV comedian blasts Israel with spoof of Eurovision winner ‘Toy’, song criticises Israeli army for killing of Gazans: ‘Look how beautifully I launch missiles’
Photo: Netta with the Netanyahus (Israeli government)
