Results: What's Eurovision Without A Little Controversy

Eurovision Song Contest, the world's biggest of its kind, takes place in Malmo, Sweden from May 7 to 11th and is expected to draw 100,000 visitors to Sweden's third-largest city. Organizers plan a special tribute to Swedish pop group ABBA, who won Eurovision 50 years ago this year. Last year Sweden won the contest with Loreen's song "Tattoo", also winning the honor of hosting this year's multi-day event. Do you watch Eurovision?

Sweden said it plans to host a dazzling event watched by 200 million people worldwide, but visitors face heightened security amid planned protests over Israel's participation. Israel was permitted entry into Eurovision more than 50 years ago because the country's national broadcaster was – and is – a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The EBU which organizes the contest, has resisted calls for Israel to be excluded due to its war in Gaza. Controversy over the conflict has already hit various cultural events across Europe. In 2022, Russia was banned from the contest because of the war against Ukraine. Do you think Israel should be banned from the contest?

Much focus is expected to be on Israeli contestant Eden Golan and her song Hurricane, as multiple large pro-Palestinian protests are planned outside the venue in Malmo. Israel was permitted to compete after it agreed to modify the lyrics of its original song "October Rain" which the EBU said made reference to the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught in Israel. (This video, if you care to listen to it, is the version allowed in the contest) Do you feel this song should have been changed?

EBU brands Eurovision a non-political event and insists that the contest is between public service broadcasters, not governments. Do you think it is possible to take the politics out of any event these days?