Spain’s Eurovision boycott over Israeli participation leaves contest fans torn | Region

MADRID (AP) — No special menu, no themed decorations and no shared suspense over which musician’s flamboyant performance proves victorious.

For the first time in seven years, Silvia Díaz won’t get together with friends to watch the Eurovision Song Contest finals on Saturday night. Their host called off their annual gathering after Spain’s public broadcaster withdrew from the festival, protesting Israel’s participation over its war against Hamas in Gaza. Díaz will watch on YouTube, but only if she has no other plans.

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