The Israeli singer, Netta, won the ESC18 Grand Final with a total of 529 points, taking the public televote over Eleni Foureira from Cyprus with her song Fuego. 25-year old Netta had earned the right to represent Israel by winning KAN’s Next Star for Eurovision national selection show.
Earlier in the week, Netta appeared at the OGAE Eurocafe to receive the trophy for winning the OGAE Poll.
This was Israel’s fourth victory (after wins in 1978, 1979 & 1988), but the first for the new broadcaster, KAN, which took over in 2018 from the now defunct IBA. The tearful farewell from Ofer Nachshon when giving the Israeli jury votes in 2017 now seems quite ironic!
Although confirming its desire to host the 2019 contest, KAN has not yet released any details of their plans.