Palestinians celebrate victory of Jacob Shaheen

The Palestinian city of Bethlehem witnessed, on Saturday evening, mass celebrations, after the Palestinian Jacob Shaheen won in the last episode of Arab Idol show, in its fourth season, to be the second Palestinian who won the title, after his compatriot Mohamed Assaf, who was crowned in the second season of the show.

Thousands of Palestinians went out to the streets to celebrate Shaheen's victory, where huge screens were erected to watch the final episode. The celebrants rose the pictures of Shaheen and launched the fireworks in the air to celebrate.

The Palestinians filled restaurants and cafes in Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank to watch the last episode, through large screens. Mohamed Abu Ali, 40 years, who sat with his wife and three children, said that this is a national day, a historic day for Palestine.

Dozens of taxis toured the streets of Gaza launched its horns and broadcasted some of Shaheen's songs that he performed during the show, which lasted for weeks. The Arab towns have seen in the "48" area mass celebrations.

Jacob received during his trip positive comments, and public support .  At the end of an arduous journey of competitions, Shaheen defeated over his compatriot Amir Dandan, and Yemeni Ammar Mohamed, in the final show, which was broadcasted from the studios of the Saudi MBC network, in Beirut.

The three competitors, who competed to win the title, are Jacob Shaheen and Mohammad Dandan from Palestine as well as Ammar Mohamed from Yemen, who was repeated during previous episodes, with his Yemeni traditional dress, that he entered this show to raise the name of his country.

To encourage his countrymen, the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,met during his visit to Beirut with Shaheen and Dandan as well as Ammar Mohamed. Abbas toled them that he hopes that one of them will win the title, saying : "Israel will not be able to prevent me from watching this match."

As well as the signing of a contract with Platinum Records company for artistic production, the winner has to meet with the elite of  superstars in the Arab world during the tripthrough "Stars on Board"program, and also gets trips through the application of "Ya Msafer"  worth of $ 50 thousand.

Jacob Shaheen from Bethlehem, in Palestine, and his teacher in the school is the first one who discovered his talent and impressed by his the strong voice, to encourage him to participate in Arab Idol show to develop this talent.