Vienna Eurovision final amid protests as Israel participation triggers boycott

The Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna proceeds amid protests and a boycott by five broadcasters over Israel's participation, reducing entries to 35 and the expected global audience to about 166 million. Twenty-five countries will compete, including Israel, after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia pulled out in protest of Israel's Gaza actions. Organizers stress Eurovision as a neutral space, with security preparations and anticipated blockades. Israel's entrant Noam Bettan faced boos during a semi-final, and the EBU warned KAN over voting campaigns; Finland's Flamethrower and Australia's Eclipse are among the favorites.