Eurovision has no hope of keeping politics out of the final

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The Eurovision Song Contest has always reflected tensions between different countries, but this weekend’s final in Vienna promises new levels of discord. Five nations have boycotted the competition, several groups are planning to protest, and all eyes are on Israel, which advanced from the semi-final on Tuesday. Boycotters and protesters believe the country should not be in Eurovision due to the war in Gaza, while the organisers continue to maintain that the event is non-political. This has not previously been a barrier to expulsions: Russia was removed from Eurovision in 2022 for invading Ukraine. Despite the boos that Noam Bettan received in the semi-final, representing Israel, he is among the favourites to win.