"The public broadcasters of five countries - Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia - are boycotting this year's event, making it the smallest since 2003 with 35 entries. That will also most likely reduce viewership from last year's estimated 166 million, more than the Super Bowl's 128 million."
""We won't let ourselves be terrorised into silence," Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig of the Social Democrats said on Friday in an angry response to a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters who blew whistles at a concert he was speaking at. "Unfortunately we will need large security measures because of people like you, for example. That will incur great expense, but we will nevertheless hold a festival of togetherness, I can promise you that," he said."
"Israel's was among the 10 entries that received enough points from national juries and a public vote on Tuesday to qualify for the final on Saturday, out of 15 competing. The tension in the city was palpable ahead of the semi-final, though inside the concert hall where it was held only cheers for Israel were audible during its performance. There were many Israeli flags in the crowd."
"Austrian officialdom is strongly supportive of Israel, and pro-Palestinian protests are small. A handful of protests are planned this week, with attendance estimated at up to 3,000."
Public broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia are boycotting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. The boycott leaves the contest with 35 entries, the smallest number since 2003, and is expected to reduce viewership from last year’s estimated 166 million. In Vienna, tension was present ahead of the semi-final, while the concert hall heard cheers for Israel during its performance, with many Israeli flags in the crowd. Israel qualified for the final after receiving enough points from national juries and public voting. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig condemned pro-Palestinian protesters and said security measures would be needed, while Amnesty International Austria called for an apology. Small pro-Palestinian protests are planned with attendance estimated up to 3,000.
Read at Irish Independent
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