Across Europe, protests against Israel’s presence in the Eurovision Song Contest grew, as Palestinian musicians and activists held alternative concerts condemning Israeli actions in Gaza and calling for Israel’s exclusion from the contest.
Eurovision viewership in the Netherlands sharply declined following a boycott over Israel’s participation and the situation in Gaza. The drop marked one of the largest in the country’s history, impacting broadcast structure and raising concerns about the contest’s future.
A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead by Israeli forces during a coordinated settler and military assault on villages north of Ramallah; four others were injured, with multiple villages attacked and livestock and agricultural equipment stolen.
Palestinian authorities rejected claims that Palestinian factions blocked contractors from working in Gaza on a new city project in Rafah, attributing the humanitarian crisis to Israeli occupation and war. They also opposed Israeli-led plans reshaping Gaza’s geographic and demographic reality.
An investigation found Israel conducted a coordinated campaign to enhance its image via Eurovision amid ongoing Gaza genocide, triggering calls to boycott the contest and to exclude Israeli participation.
The Rafah crossing remains Gaza’s sole connection to the outside world, with Israeli forces occupying the Palestinian side since 2024 and destroying its buildings. Israel partially reopened the crossing with strict controls. Returnees report harassment, intense inspections, and extensive destruction in Rafah.
The US Department of War raised the Iran war cost estimate to nearly $29 billion, $4 billion more than earlier figures, amid pressure to clarify spending, war impact, and concerns over depleted military stockpiles.
German intelligence revealed increased monitoring of pro-Palestinian activism, noting an extremist core in Berlin and flagging symbols and slogans as extremist indicators. Germany is cracking down on anti-occupation protests amid warnings from human rights groups about potential suppression of free political speech.
