Overview
- Saturday’s grand final goes ahead as Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland withdraw in protest at Israel’s inclusion.
- Boycotting networks are swapping in national shows, including RTÉ’s Father Ted episode, a Spanish music special with Raphael and Chanel, and Slovenia’s Gaza documentaries.
- Israel’s contestant Noam Bettan was booed by pro‑Palestinian protesters during his Vienna semi‑final and he advanced to the final.
- Father Ted co‑creator Graham Linehan denounced RTÉ’s plan as antisemitic and launched a petition urging Director General Kevin Bakhurst to resign.
- The Netherlands’ NOS and Iceland’s RÚV will still air the contest despite not competing, and many Irish viewers can watch on the BBC’s widely available channels.