On the other side of the divide, the Eurovision Song Competition is underway in Israel, as competitors from 40 countries head into semi-finals and finals. This year's contest is shrouded in politics as Palestinian supporters call for performers, businesses and tourists to boycott the event as an act of protest against Israeli policy. CGTN's Stephanie Freid in Tel Aviv reports. 

Promos are airing. Delegations are competing. Guests are hitting the party village built specifically for song contest revelers. Eurovision 2019 has launched and for Israel, hosting the song contest is a moment of intense pride. But for Palestinian BDS boycott movement affiliates, it's an opportunity to shine the spotlight on, quote, "Israel's human rights abuses and apartheid policies" and call for a Eurovision 2019 boycott.

Popular performers Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, and Wolf Alice are among boycott signators - BDS leaders say their campaign is working.

OMAR BARGHOUTTI CO-FOUNDER OF BDS, RAMALLAH "As Israel is drunk with power on top of the world with Trump's support and the far right support in Europe and so on, it's losing the liberal mainstream. Israel was originally talking about forty or fifty thousand tourists to flood Tel Aviv - now they're talking about five thousand or less."

Low attendance is largely attributed to sky-high event and hotel prices. Most visiting tourists prefer to avoid politics.

GERMAN TOURIST TEL AVIV "Me as a German in this country, you know, in another situation, you know, perhaps people from other countries because of history, we have a friendship with Israel and I like to be in this country."

RUSSIAN TOURIST TEL AVIV "When you come here you enjoy just the place. The music. So no politics. Not here."

Pop Queen Madonna was reportedly paid a million dollars by an Israeli-Canadian billionaire to perform at the finale - she says she's not bowing to boycott pressure.

Stephanie Freid, CGTN, Tel Aviv.