Dare to dream?

Another year, another line-up of kitschArt, performance or objects considered tacky or tasteless, that are sometimes appreciated in a knowing or ironic way. pop songs and bizarre folk music: EurovisionThe contest was first held in 1956, a year before the European Economic Community was created. The latter eventually became the EU, and both were conceived as a way to bring peace to Europe. It was thought that an annual song contest would encourage a healthy outlet for nationalism. is back.

Tomorrow, in Tel Aviv, Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke will soar through the stars with the operatic pop song, Zero Gravity. The French LGBTQ YouTuber Bilal Hassani will sing an anthem about self-acceptance. Norway's band KEiiNO will introduce 200 million viewers to the traditional singing style of the Sami peopleAn indigenous people (once known as Laplanders) who live in Northern Europe, including Sweden, Norway, Finland and parts of Russia., known as "joik".

But one band will undoubtedly stand out above the rest: Iceland's Hatari, an anti-capitalist, BDSM, techno-pop group. The band will perform their song Hatrio mun sigra (or Hatred Will Prevail) in leather and fetish gear.

Eurovision explicitly bans any political songs. But the band argues, "You can't go to Tel Aviv and perform on that stage without breaking the rules of Eurovision."

Indeed, the location of this year's contest has been causing controversy since the moment last year's winner, NettaWhile holding the trophy, Netta Barzilai spontaneously declared that this year's contest would be held in Jerusalem (a sensitive subject, as not all countries recognise the city as Israel's capital)., raised the glittery trophy. Why?

To answer that question, we must go back 100 years to the end of the World War One, when Britain took control of Palestine. The area had an Arab majority and Jewish minority.

The Jewish population grew, with many fleeing persecution in Europe. In 1947, after the horrors of the HolocaustThe murder of six million Jewish people in Europe by Nazi Germany. Members of other minority groups were also killed. , the UN declared that the area should be split into two separate states: one for Jews, and one for Arabs. The Arab side did not agree to the plan.

In 1948, the British Left and Jewish leaders declared Israel an independent Jewish state - triggering a war with Palestinians.

Several wars have followed in the decades since. Today, Palestinians live in Gaza, the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem. Their movements are heavily restricted and violence regularly flares up. Only this month, 23 people in Gaza and four in Israel were killed in a three-day battle.

Palestinians say they are being held hostage by Israeli occupiers. Israel says it has a right to defend itself from the militant group HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK..

The conflict colours every part of life in the region - and few have confidence that a peace deal will be agreed any time soon.

So where does Eurovision fit into this? Israel is hoping to change international opinion, presenting itself as a tourist destination by highlighting its cosmopolitan cities and beautiful beaches. Eurovision was created to help bring peace to Europe through music. Perhaps it could do the same in Israel?

Probably not, say experts. The conflict has spanned generations, and its roots are even older: both sides claim an ancestral right to the ancient capital city of JerusalemAn ancient city that is considered holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.. Finding a peaceful solution has eluded the world for decades - it will take more than some sequins to get us there.