(CNN) The Netherlands triumphed at a controversial Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, taking home the title in a kitsch competition that found itself dancing around an uncomfortably political spotlight. He confirmed victory after scoring strongly with both the public and national juries, beating Italy and Russia to the title. This is to music first, always," he said after being confirmed as winner -- the first victor his country has had since 1975. But, like a handful of editions in the past, it struggled to shake off an overbearing political row. After protests in the host city and abroad leading up to the show , popular Icelandic group Hatari raised Palestinian flags during the broadcast.

Source: CNN May 18, 2019 23:06 UTC