How Eurovision’s Israel debate could reshape the contest | Global News Podcast

There has been an international backlash against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest – one of the world’s biggest entertainment events – fueled by concerns over the war in Gaza.

Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands are boycotting this year’s competition. And the Israeli contestant Noam Bettan was booed by some members of the audience on Tuesday, as he secured a spot in the final.

Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar has called the boycotts "shameful and hypocritical", saying Eurovision is "a celebration of music, culture and brotherhood between nations, not a platform for scoring political points."

All of this comes as Eurovision faces questions about its voting system, and the degree to which geopolitics may influence the contest’s outcome.

We ask the BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage how the row over Israel’s inclusion could reshape Eurovision.

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00:00 Introduction
00:30 Boos and cheers for Israel’s entry
01:54 Criticism over the war in Gaza
03:30 Concerns about Eurovision voting
06:14 How politics affects Eurovision
07:58 Will the boycotts change Eurovision?