Israelis optimistic about Eurovision win ahead of final

Several Israeli nationals on Friday (May 15) said they were confident that their Eurovision representative would win hearts and a high score at the upcoming Eurovision finals, despite anti-Israel backlash and a day of Palestinian solidarity demonstrations in Eurovision host city Vienna.

 “I think the main purpose of the Eurovision was to unite people through songs, through love. And if it got to the point that it made people hate one another, it makes me sad. And I think it's really not the purpose of this contest,” said Dafna Dekel, Israel’s 1992 Eurovision representative.

 Performers and attendees at a Friday Eurovision-themed drag performance in Tel Aviv said they were confident that Israel representative Noam Bettan would make strides in Saturday's (May 16) finals.

 The contest, usually a good-natured and camp celebration of pop music and European diversity now in its 70th year, has been plunged into crisis over Gaza.

 National broadcasters from five countries, including Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland, are boycotting this year's event because Israel is taking part.

 Viewers watching the first semi-final on television heard distant chants of "Stop, stop the genocide" from a protester as Bettan began his performance of "Michelle," which qualified for Saturday's final. 

 The boycotting national broadcasters, which also include Iceland's and Slovenia's, have said they are protesting against Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which was in retaliation for the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. 

-Joseph Campbell/Reuters