Hadil Al-Shalchi

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Kanawati spoke.

We will raise our voices with a message of peace that comes from the pain we experience, he said.

Since the war in Gaza broke out, the Israeli military has ramped up its operations in the West Bank and restricted movement.

contributing to a fall in tourism in Bethlehem.

According to the local government, unemployment rose from 14% to 65%.

Today, there is cautious hope that the new year will bring peace.

Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel has won the Eurovision contest four times.

and will now get the chance to compete for the title once more.

The decision prompted the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia to boycott the event.

They said it was in protest for Israel's role in the two-year Gaza war, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians.

2018 Israeli winner Netta Barzilai drew cheers at her concert.

when she called Eurovision's decision brave.

We must continue to shine and speak up, she told the crowd.

Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, said Eurovision's decision demonstrated solidarity and fellowship.

Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel has won the Eurovision contest four times and will now get the chance to compete for the title once more.

The decision prompted the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia to boycott the event.

They said it was in protest for Israel's role in the two-year Gaza war, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians.

2018 Israeli winner Neta Barzilai drew cheers at her concert when she called Eurovision's decision brave.