Eurovision song contest begins in Vienna amid political controversy

The Eurovision Song Contest held its first semi-final in Vienna on Tuesday amidst political tensions surrounding Israel's participation following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Five countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia—withdrew from the competition in protest, reducing the total field to 35 entries, the smallest since 2003. While expectations for large pro-Palestinian demonstrations were high, only about 30 participants gathered in Vienna on Tuesday. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig faced criticism from rights groups like Amnesty International after he denounced protesters for attempting to silence the festival, calling their actions a form of terror. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) maintains that Eurovision is a non-political cultural event, though critics argue that recent events highlight the influence of geopolitical tensions. Concerns have also been raised regarding the contest's voting system, prompting the EBU to implement changes such as limiting viewer votes and discouraging state-backed promotion. Some critics have highlighted an perceived inconsistency in allowing Israel to participate while having previously excluded Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Police reported that additional protests are scheduled to take place throughout the duration of the contest.