Israel and top favourite Finland have qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, scheduled for Saturday in Vienna, following the first semi-final held Tuesday at the Wiener Stadthalle. They are joined in the final by Greece, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland, while Portugal, Georgia, Montenegro, Estonia, and San Marino were eliminated. Germany and Italy, as major financial contributors to the contest, had already secured automatic spots in the final.
This year's 70th edition of Eurovision — the longest-running international song competition, broadcast across dozens of countries — is taking place under considerable political tension. Five countries have withdrawn from the contest in protest at Israel's participation: the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Iceland, and Ireland. Their broadcasters cite Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has killed an estimated 70,000 people according to figures cited by critics of the war, and which many of the boycotting nations describe as a severe violation of human rights. Some of those broadcasters have chosen to air alternative programming in place of Eurovision coverage. More than 1,100 musicians and artists, including Björk, Brian Eno, and Peter Gabriel, have signed an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the contest. Last year's winner, Swiss artist Nemo, returned their trophy in protest.
Israel's participation has required significant diplomatic effort. An investigation by The New York Times, published this week, revealed that the Israeli government spent more than one million euros — partly from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — on Eurovision-related marketing and campaigns urging viewers to vote for Israel's entry up to 20 times. Following the controversy, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) changed its voting rules for this year's contest. Israel's broadcaster Kan received a formal warning from organisers after its representative, Noam Bettan, was found to have solicited votes in an unauthorised manner.
During Tuesday's semi-final, Bettan performed his song "Michelle" — described as being about escaping a toxic relationship — to a mixed reception. Soft chants of "Free, free Palestine" could be heard from sections of the audience, and Palestinian flags were waved inside the venue, though these were rarely shown on camera. Applause for the Israeli act was nonetheless audible after the performance. The EBU had previously pledged not to intervene if booing occurred or Palestinian flags were displayed. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are also being held outside the contest venues; a protest took place on Sunday under heavy police presence, and further demonstrations are expected ahead of the final.
On the musical front, Finland's entry drew particular attention. Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, performing the song "Liekinheitin," have led bookmakers' rankings for months. Lampenius played live violin during the performance — a rarity in the contest, where instruments are typically pre-recorded. Croatia's act also drew notice for its visually striking staging. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday, featuring entries from Bulgaria, France, and defending champion Austria, whose Austrian countertenor JJ won last year with "Wasted Love" and thus brought this year's contest to Vienna.