Favourites Finland and Israel advanced from the first Eurovision semi-final on Tuesday, despite five countries boycotting the contest over Israel’s participation. Belgium pulled off a surprise qualification, while Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden also secured spots in Saturday’s grand final in Vienna.
Israel, Finland qualify for Eurovision final as five countries boycott music contest
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Story Timeline
Sun 13:30 - HLN (BE)
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Tue 15:36 - Al-Monitor
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Wed 06:20 - The Bulletin (BE)
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Wed 16:17 - Die Zeit Newsfeed
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Thu 12:16 - DW All
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Thu 12:16 - DW Top
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Thu 14:14 - SRF Wirtschaft
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Thu 16:30 - HLN (BE)
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Fri 05:27 - France 24
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Fri 14:41 - La Repubblica (IT)
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Fri 23:01 - BBC Europe
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Sat 03:00 - La Repubblica (IT)
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Sat 07:28 - DW World
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Sat 07:28 - DW
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Sat 08:49 - ANSA Main
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Sat 20:26 - La Libre (BE)
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Sat 23:03 - BBC Europe
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Sun 06:05 - SRF Wirtschaft
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Sun 14:40 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
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Sun 16:11 - La Repubblica (IT)
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Sun 23:33 - BBC Europe
Why Eurovision's fallout over Israel may change the competition forever
Mon 04:43 - SRF Wirtschaft
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Mon 05:32 - Euronews
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Mon 07:16 - Euronews
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Mon 07:26 - NYT Europe
How Israel Turned Eurovision’s Stage Into a Soft Power Tool
Mon 07:27 - NYT Europe
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Mon 09:50 - La Libre (BE)
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Mon 10:08 - France 24
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Mon 13:55 - France 24
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia will not broadcast Eurovision over Israel's participation
Mon 14:00 - Al-Monitor
Boycotters Spain, Ireland, Slovenia will not show Eurovision
Mon 15:02 - Sky News (UK)
UK's Eurovision act to feature special 'mega synthesiser'
Mon 15:25 - Sky News (UK)
Israel qualifies for Eurovision final
Mon 15:36 - Al-Monitor
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Mon 15:36 - Tagesschau
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Mon 17:33 - DW All
Slovenia, Spain and Ireland won't air Eurovision over Israel's participation
Mon 17:33 - DW Top
Slovenia, Spain and Ireland won't air Eurovision over Israel's participation
Tue 03:30 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
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Tue 04:32 - Die Welt
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Tue 04:53 - Die Welt
ESC overshadowed by dispute over Israel's participation and calls for a boycott
Tue 07:00 - Al-Monitor
Israel takes the stage in semis of boycotted Eurovision
Tue 07:03 - Al Jazeera English
Why is Israel allowed to take part in the Eurovision song contest?
Tue 07:11 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Belgium participates in the first semi-final, what do the bookmakers say?
Tue 07:31 - Euronews
Eurovision Song Contest 2026: The most streamed entries of all time and the people’s winners
Tue 10:25 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
Eurovision boss on Felicia's Israel statements: "It's about timing"
Tue 11:36 - Al-Monitor
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Tue 14:30 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Minister Galant re-defends Belgium's participation
Tue 15:36 - La Repubblica (IT)
How Israel transformed the Eurovision stage into a tool of soft power
Tue 16:40 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Live from 9 p.m.: Vicky Leandros opens the first ESC semi-final
Tue 16:55 - Die Welt
“We can look forward to a big music festival” – Wolfram Weimer goes to Israel’s song contest performance
Tue 17:46 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Essyla thumbs her nose at bookmakers and qualifies for the grand final
Tue 22:43 - France 24
Israel, Finland qualify for Eurovision final as five countries boycott music contest
Tue 23:17 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
The bed for conflict - but this year there is a clear favourite
Wed 03:44 - SRF Wirtschaft
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