Fifteen countries are competing for 10 places in Saturday’s Grand Final, while protests are expected in the Austrian capital throughout the week. The dispute over Israel’s inclusion has led Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland to boycott this year’s contest, leaving 35 participating countries, the lowest number since 2003. The row follows months of pressure on the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel, after Russia was barred from Eurovision in 2022 over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the event was being watched closely by “activists and extremists.” Israel is due to perform in the first semi-final.