Israel has been included on a list of participating countries for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
Public broadcasters from 37 countries who will take part have been announced by the organisers, and include Israeli broadcaster Kan.
However, some people have criticised its participation amid ongoing fighting with Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed at least 15,523 Palestinian lives.
According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNWRA, nearly 1.9 million people - more than 85% of the population in Gaza - have been displaced across the Strip since October 7th.
It followed an attack on Israel by Hamas militants in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 240 taken hostage.
It has also drawn comparisons with Russia after that country was banned in 2002 following its invasion of Ukraine.
"United by the music" or united by committing a genocide @EBU_HQ? Israel needs to go. Same thing that happened with Russia.
You are applauding and approving violence and a genocide @Eurovision #ESC2024 #eurovision pic.twitter.com/yBvfs51uWU— Joana Lucas (@joanaplucas) December 5, 2023
not eurovision including Israel this year pic.twitter.com/aiPqUyrtLM
— Jenna Lyn Albert (they/them | iel) (@JennaLynAlbert) December 5, 2023
why is Russia banned for their invasion of Ukraine, when Israel and Azerbaijan are both ethnically cleansing thousands of people in Palestine and Armenia respectively?
eurovision contest of hypocrites pic.twitter.com/g7fOKptGbF— Seán Ó Raghallaigh (@RaghallaighJ) December 5, 2023
que israel esté entre los 37 paises participantes de eurovision 2024 no sólo es un golpe más a la decencia del concurso sino que es una falta de respeto al mundo. de vergüenza pic.twitter.com/ojWiWM5AIh
— helio (@helioroque_) December 5, 2023
I'm 100% boycotting Eurovision because they decided to include Israel and Azerbaijan despite their atrocities and crimes against humanity. What a nasty organization https://t.co/BqO2MFGYzW
— Anita Zsurzsan 🇵🇸 ✡️ (@iamjourjean) December 5, 2023
Long past time they kick Israel out. They did with Russia last year. #Eurovision #Eurovision2024 https://t.co/I9BFMqUYPB pic.twitter.com/fUUYXmkHAE
— Bionic Laura (@bioniclaura) December 5, 2023
Another user simply said on X that Eurovision had "silenced Palestinian voices for far too long. If you can remove Russia for attacking Ukraine you can remove Israel".
Sweden will host the 68th Eurovision Song Contest next May following Loreen's win in Liverpool with 'Tattoo'.
Her victory meant that Ireland and Sweden are now tied for the most Eurovision Song Contest wins, with seven each.
The world's biggest live music event is being staged in Malmö, marking the third time that city has hosted the contest.
Israel made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 and won for the first time in Paris in 1978.
It went on to win the contest twice more, most recently in 2018.
