Bulgaria Wins Eurovision Amidst Controversy Over Israel's Participation Bulgaria's surprise victory in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest has sparked controversy surrounding Israel's participation in this year's competition.
The country's entry, "Hold On," a melancholic ballad performed by Michael Ben David, was criticized for allegedly perpetuating Palestinian stereotypes and glorifying Israeli occupation.
Historically, Bulgaria has not been a dominant force in the contest, failing to place top three on four out of five occasions prior to their win.