Thousands Protest at Eurovision Final as Five Countries Boycott Over Israel Thousands gathered outside the Vienna venue for the Eurovision Song Contest final, where controversy marred the event.
Five countries Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia withdrew their participation in protest against Israel's inclusion, citing its ongoing war on Gaza as a genocidal act that cannot be condoned.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizers of the contest, refused to exclude Israel despite banning Russia following its invasion of Ukraine four years ago.