Israel used the hugely popular song contest to rebrand itself as a tolerant country, but political conflict and controversy will not make that an easy task.

Activists hold placards calling for the boycott of Eurovision along Israel's controversial separation barrier, which divides the West Bank from Jerusalem, during the 7th International Palestine Marathon in the biblical town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on 22 March 2019.
Activists hold placards calling for the boycott of Eurovision along Israel's controversial separation barrier, which divides the West Bank from Jerusalem, during the 7th International Palestine Marathon in the biblical town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on 22 March 2019. (Getty Images)

The 64th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off in Tel Aviv with an opening ceremony on Sunday despite calls to boycott the event. 

Last year's winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, Netta Barzilai of Israel, takes part at the
Last year's winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, Netta Barzilai of Israel, takes part at the "Orange Carpet" opening ceremony of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 12, 2019. (Reuters)

Earlier in the day, a dozen Israeli activists blocked the entrance of the venue to protest Israel's policies towards Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) has long been calling on artists and broadcasters to withdraw from the contest, saying the country is using the event to whitewash a brutal apartheid regime. 

Contestants Sarah McTernan of Ireland pose on the
Contestants Sarah McTernan of Ireland pose on the "Orange Carpet" during the opening ceremony of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. (Reuters)

Many musicians, including Sinead O'Connor, Elvis Costello, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Roger Waters and Lorde, also joined the call to boycott performances in Israel.

US music icon Madonna has come under pressure to cancel her performance at this year’s contest.  

Peace activists protest before the presentation of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest participants in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 12, 2019.
Peace activists protest before the presentation of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest participants in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 12, 2019. (AP)

There are also concerns that the event could be disrupted by recent violence.

Over the weekend, a surge of violence led to the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians and four Israelis.

Protesters in Ireland also called for RTE studios to boycott the event.
Protesters in Ireland also called for RTE studios to boycott the event. (Twitter)

For more than a half-century, Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories has resulted in systematic human rights violations against people living there.

Demonstrators gather in front of Australian public broadcaster SBS to protest the Eurovision song contest.
Demonstrators gather in front of Australian public broadcaster SBS to protest the Eurovision song contest. (AP)

The country earned the right to host Eurovision 2019 after Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won last year's competition with her #MeToo-inspired song "Toy".