Thousands protest at Eurovision final as five countries boycott over Israel

The Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna was marked by widespread protests and an unprecedented five-country boycott over the inclusion of Israel in the competition. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia all withdrew from the event, with their national broadcasters citing a 'double standard' compared to the 2022 ban on Russia. Thousands of demonstrators marched through the Austrian capital, carrying banners and calling for a full cultural boycott of the contest.

Critics and artists, including Macklemore and Paloma Faith, have accused the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of 'cowardice' for failing to exclude Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Amnesty International's Agnes Callamard described the decision as a blatant illustration of biased standards in international cultural events. Despite the turmoil outside the venue, the EBU maintained its position that Eurovision is a non-political event. The boycotts and protests represent the largest disruption in the contest's 70-year history, signaling a deep cultural rift over the intersection of entertainment and global geopolitics.