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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Eurovision kicks off in Vienna as five broadcasters boycott contest over Israel

Eurovision Israel United Nations Vienna Gaza Martin Green Noam Bettan Eurovision Song Contest EBU Europe
Israeli performer Noam Bettan at the official opening of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, 10 May. AP - Martin Meissner

As the Eurovision Song Contest marks its 70th anniversary with the first semi-final in Vienna on Tuesday evening, Europe’s biggest live television music event is unfolding under the shadow of an unprecedented political boycott over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Five countries – Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland – have withdrawn from this year’s competition in protest at Israel’s participation, making it the biggest political rupture in Eurovision’s history.

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