Bulgaria Wins Eurovision Song Contest, Israel Comes Second Again

Bulgaria Wins Eurovision Song Contest, Israel Comes Second Again
DARA, representing Bulgaria, the winner of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, holds the trophy during the Grand Final in Vienna, Austria, on May 17, 2026. Lisa Leutner/Reuters
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VIENNA—Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday, while Israel once again finished in second place.

The competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, now in its 70th year, was plunged into crisis by a dispute over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, a response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.