Eurovision fans have descended on Vienna for the most controversial contest in the event's 70-year history.The slogan for tonight's pan-European musical extravaganza is 'United by Music' but that has been far from the case during the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Indeed, this year's contest has been marred by divisions over Israel's continued participation.Five countries - Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland - have all decided to boycott the competition over Israel's inclusion.Meanwhile when Israeli entry Noam Bettan, one of the bookies favourite to win the competition, performed his song at the first semi-final on Tuesday he faced boos as well jeers from the audience to 'Free Palestine' and 'stop the genocide' - in reference to the Gaza War.Austria's broadcaster ORF later confirmed in a statement several members of the audience were removed by security. The 28-year-old Mr Bettan is reportedly receiving protection from the security agency Shin Bet, Mossad and elite Austrian units during his time in Vienna.Outside the Wiener Stadthalle arena, where the contest is being held, there are reports that protesters have been arrested. A supporter of Israel holds an Israeli flag as she arrives for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. This year's contest has been marred by divisions over Israel's continued participation Pro-Palestine protesters at a rally in Vienna ahead of tonight's contestAcross the Austrian capital today pro-Palestine protesters have taken to the streets waving Palestinian flags and holding signs saying 'don't mention Palestine' and 'united by genocide'. One protester, Viktoria Eibensteiner said: 'I think it's very important to show a symbol of Austria being against war crimes, about not offering a stage for Israeli crimes in Palestine, in Lebanon, wherever.'So… we want to take a stance against genocide, against war crimes, and that's why we're here today, it's a celebration that serves to counteract the Eurovision Song Contest and the normalisation of war crimes.'Jamil Sawalmeh, the Country Director for ActionAid Palestine, said: 'Justice cannot be a song Europe sings for some and silences for others.'As Eurovision takes centre stage across Europe today, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues, with Palestinians facing bombardment, forced displacement and deepening suffering, while the Israeli Government steps up its assault on Palestinian life and rights in the West Bank.'But nevertheless, despite the controversy, the show must go on and fans from across the continent have now descended on Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle on what is the contest's 70th anniversary.The bookies' favourite to win tonight is Finland's Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen who are performing a pop-rock number with an impressive violin solo performed by Ms Lampenius.Australia entry Delta Goodrem has emerged as a frontrunner to take out top honours in the final.The Australian singer, 41, wowed audiences with her epic ballad Eclipse during the semi-finals on Friday morning, which propelled Australia to the grand final for the first time in three years. Israel's entry Noam Beltan performing in the dress rehearsal for tonight's show. During his performance at the first semi-final on Tuesday he faced boos as well jeers from the audience Across the Austrian capital today pro-Palestine protesters have taken to the streets waving Palestinian flags and holding signs saying 'don't mention Palestine' and 'united by genocide' Pictured: Pro-Palestine protesters are arrested outside the arena Other countries expected to do well include Greece, Israel, Romania and Bulgaria.Look Mum No Computer, real name Sam Battle, is flying the flag for the United Kingdom with his zany entry Eins, Zwei, Drei.Earlier this week, Rylan Clark was praised by viewers after he directly addressed the controversy around Israel's participation in the song contest.At the start of the first semi-final on Tuesday, Rylan - who was commentating the semis with Angela Scanlon - told viewers that five nations had declined to take part this year.He said: 'As I'm sure you're aware, this year Eurovision has faced one of its most challenging years, five countries have withdrawn following the continued participation of Israel, which leaves us with 35 acts competing in this year's live shows.'Rylan was lauded by fans for referencing the controversy that has surrounded the contest, writing on X: 'Rylan immediately starting off with mentioning 5 countries withdrawing because of israel... honestly wasn't expecting it.''Big on Rylan for mentioning the withdrawals and that is because of Israel.''Rylan is making his feelings known, good for him.' Israeli fans arrive at the arena ahead of tonight's Eurovision final. This year's contest has been marred by divisions over Israel's continued participation The bookies' favourite to win tonight is Finland's Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen (both pictured) who are performing a pop-rock number with an impressive violin solo performed by Ms Lampenius Australia entry Delta Goodrem has emerged as a frontrunner to take out top honours in the final Greece's Akylas with his catchy tune Ferto is another act expected to do very well this evening 'The BBC and Rylan actually acknowledging withdrawn countries and their reason?'And the TV presenter's comments show just how much controversy has loomed over this year's contest. The competition has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere.Spain announced its boycott in December, after the European Broadcasting Union said Israel would be allowed to compete, and has been joined by Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland.Some Spanish fans respect the choice to take a stand by sitting out the cherished event, even if it's bittersweet.Spain's broadcaster has repeatedly expressed disapproval over Israel's participation.In last year's semifinals, RTVE's commentators introduced Israel's singer in the same breath as they mentioned Palestinians killed in the war.Before airing the final, the network transmitted the message 'Peace and justice for Palestine' on a black background to hundreds of thousands of Spanish televisions.As the Eurovision finals take place in Vienna, RTVE will air a tribute to the network's musical history. Aussie fans gather in Vienna ready to cheer on Delta British fans arrive for the grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest Fans celebrate in the fan area ahead the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026It will feature a performance by Tony Grox and Lucycalys, the musicians who RTVE would have dispatched to represent Spain at Eurovision.Ireland's national broadcaster will play a Eurovision-themed episode of sitcom Father Ted instead.Slovenians will be shown an episode of a 10-part program about Palestinians.People can still watch Eurovision on the European Broadcasting Union's YouTube channel, but the lack of a performer or commentator from their own country renders the vibe decidedly less passionate.The boycotts are a financial blow to Eurovision, which is funded largely by participating broadcasters, and to public broadcasters at a time when many are under financial pressure from government funding cuts and competition from social media.Long a forum for good-natured and sometimes more pointed national rivalries, Eurovision has found it hard to separate pop and politics in recent years.Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Tensions rose again after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed some 1,200 people, and Israel's subsequent campaign in Gaza that has left more than 70,000 people dead.The last two Eurovision contests have seen pro-Palestinian protests both outside the venues and inside, forcing organisers to clamp down on political flag-waving. Look Mum No Computer, real name Sam Battle, is flying the flag for the United Kingdom with his zany entry Eins, Zwei, DreiSeveral performers and countries have called for the exclusion of Israel, which has competed in Eurovision since 1973, one of a few non-European countries to do so.The 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden, and last year's event in Basel, Switzerland, saw pro-Palestinian protests that called for Israel to be expelled over the conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza and allegations it ran a rule-breaking marketing campaign to get votes for its contestant after Israel finished second last year.When organisers declined to kick Israel out, five countries announced in December that they would not participate this year.The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, has toughened voting rules in response to the vote-rigging allegations, halving the number of votes per person to 10 and tightening safeguards against 'suspicious or coordinated voting activity'.Israel last year got 83 per cent of its points from the public for its song 'New Day Will Rise' and came ​second overall.The winner, Austria's 'Wasted Love', got just 41 per cent of its votes from the public, and had to rely on ⁠the support of national juries to power its way to the top.The competing countries in the grand final will be Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK.BBC One's coverage of the Eurovision Grand Final will start this evening from 8pm.