Eurovision final kicks off amid pro-Palestinian protests outside, chaos backstage

The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feel-good musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.

Eurovision final kicks off amid pro-Palestinian protests outside, chaos backstage
Protesters gather while holding up a banner that reads, 'Welcome to genocide song contest.'

The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feel-good musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.