Palestine flags were visible during the Eurovision dress rehearsal as political tensions threatened to play out in Vienna on the eve of this year's final.Ukrainian and Israeli flags were also seen in the concert hall as both nations prepared to compete for the grand prize on Saturday night.On Friday evening performers from 25 countries staged a full dress rehearsal for the final of the contest's 70th edition.Eurovision is without five countries - Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia - this year after their national broadcasters staged a boycott over Israel's inclusion.Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said in a statement on Friday that his country was not in Vienna but had 'the conviction that we are on the right side of history'.'In the face of illegal war and also genocide, silence is not an option. And we cannot remain indifferent to what continues to happen in Gaza and in Lebanon.'Hundreds of demonstrators staged a pro-Palestinian 'song protest' featuring music and speeches in a Vienna square on Friday.Israel's entry, 28-year-old Noam Bettan, is reportedly under protection from the security agency Shin Bet, Mossad and elite Austrian units as he said this week he was 'shocked' by protests during his semi-final performance. An audience member displayed a Palestine flag as Noam Bettan performed in the Eurovision dress rehearsal Both Israeli and Palestinian flags were held aloft as 25 performers took to the stage before Saturday's finalDuring Mr Bettan's performance on Tuesday night audience members were removed from the Wiener Stadthalle as one displayed the message 'Free Palestine' across his chest and more chanted 'stop the genocide' during his song.But host broadcaster ORF's programme director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz said audience microphones would remain on during Saturday's final, adding: 'We made the decision and we're going to stick to this decision. And we are sure that love will win.'Irish broadcaster RTÉ had said Ireland's involvement in the contest was 'unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza' and Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said the Netherlands' participation was 'incompatible with the public values that are essential to us'.Israeli broadcaster Kan said their absences were a 'cultural boycott' which 'harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression'.Eurovision's organisers have been criticised for Israel's continued involvement in the contest because of the war in Gaza.Critics have drawn parallels with Russia's expulsion from the contest following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.War-torn Ukraine is not expected to repeat its 2022 triumph, with Finland favourites to win Saturday's final with its violin and vocal duet 'Liekinheitin', or 'Flamethrower'.Australia's Delta Goodrem came through Thursday's second semi-final with her song 'Eclipse', with bookmakers considering the 41-year-old established star as Finland's closest contender for the crown.Her country has appeared at Eurovision by invitation since 2015 and Goodrem's performance was enjoyed by the 10,000 fans in the arena. Finland's Lordi is the favourite to take the Eurovision crown at the contest's 70th edition But the UK entrant Look Mum No Computer is tipped to end up at the foot of the leaderboard However he looked excited to perform as he arrived draped in the Union flag Leleka of Ukraine held her country's flag up as she entered the arena for the dress rehearsalShe stood on top of a golden glittering piano, then soared into the air on a riser as sparks fell from the ceiling.The UK's entrant is favoured to finish near the bottom of Saturday's leaderboard.But Sam Battle, the musician and YouTuber who performs as Look Mum No Computer said he was 'happy to be an underdog'.'There are gonna be people that don't like the UK for the sake of it being the UK, but that's the way it is. We can't change that,' the 37-year-old said.'So we've just got to crack on. Keep calm and carry on.'His song Eins, Zwei, Drei talks of being 'sick of munching roly-poly with custard' and says pounds 'feel counterfeit', needing 'some euros to counter it'.Some have interpreted the song as an apology for Brexit but Battle told the Sun 'there's no real aim' and the song was about 'quirky British things'.The Eurovision Fun website and commentator called Battle's dress rehearsal performance 'arguably the weakest performance of the night so far'.It continued: 'The singer, perhaps intentionally holding back, relied more on vocal flourishes rather than properly delivering the verses. He also was not wearing the actual stage outfit. At this point it seems unlikely that the UK will avoid a bottom-five finish.'