Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest as Israel comes second again

Israel has alleged a global smear campaign against it. Its performance ​at the final was not, however, marred by any obvious protests

Dara representing Bulgaria after winning the Eurovision Song Contest (Ian West/PA)

Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed ​by five countries' boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it ‌second place.

The garish and usually good-natured competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, now in its 70th year, was plunged into crisis by a dispute over Israel's military offensive in Gaza, a response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.