Amid unrest, Israel competes in scaled-down Eurovision Song Contest

18 May 2021, 10:13 pm

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In a story that would likely draw focus if not for the pandemic and the major fighting in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank over the past week, Israel is currently competing in the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest which was delayed from last year.

Israeli representative Eden Alene will sing the song “Set Me Free,” which according to most betting sites is expected to fail to make it to Saturday’s final.

With international fans largely barred from attending the event in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the show is already significantly scaled down from normal and is far from the normal festive atmosphere.

With or without a connection to the Gaza fighting, pro-Palestinian activists are staging a demonstration outside the venue.