Israel fans are hoping for Eurovision joy in Vienna as Noam Bettan prepares to perform in tonight’s final.
The singer has already defied boycott calls, booing and protests to come through the semi-final in the Austrian capital and vie to claim glory.
His song Michelle is tipped to be one of the better performing entries.
The love ballad has been hailed for its winning mix of electronic beats with distinctly Middle Eastern flavours.
Reacting coolly to protests during Tuesday’s semi-final, Bettan said: "I heard there was booing and everything, and there was a moment of, like, a wow effect, you know? A little bit of shock."
On Saturday hours before the final, Bettan was again booed during his rehearsal.
The singer was defiantly unfazed despite the boos being what he called “the loudest I have ever heard”.
He rallied his troupe of dancers, telling them: “Whatever, let’s go. It’s all good.”
Earlier this year, Bettan, 28, told the JC how he will not be put off by the boycott calls and protests and instead will focus on positivity. He said: “I’m trying to see the love of God in everything and in every opportunity. Even if you have something that hurts you along the way.”
There have been small-scale protests in Vienna against Israel’s participation.
However, others have publicly welcomed Bettan, including the Young Greens of Austria, who put out a video on Instagram saying they give “zero points to antisemitism”.
The post said: “Boycotting Israel's participation in Eurovision, booing and harassing the Israeli artists will not free Palestine.
“What it will do is contribute to a hateful environment against Jews that make Jewish life in Europe more and more unsafe.
“Which is why we‘re giving zero points to antisemitism!”
Attempts to force Israel out of the contest over the conflict in Gaza have been rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
However, five countries which had lobbied for a boycott have pulled out from this year’s contest: Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland.
There have also been accusations that Israel and its supporters have attempted to take unfair advantage of voting rules, although others argue many countries’ fans do all they can to promote their performers.
The controversy has led to changes in the EBU’s rules, including a cap on the number of votes for each member of the public of just 10, down on the previous limit of 20.
Israel came second in last year’s final in Basel, Switzerland. Singer and Nova survivor Yuval Raphael topped the popular vote with her performance of New Day Will Rise. She lost pole position after the verdict of the professional juries, being pipped for first place by Austria’s JJ with the electro-ballad Wasted Love.
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