The Times of Israel is liveblogging Sunday’s events as they unfold.

Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second to Bulgaria in Eurovision Song Contest

Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes in second place at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Vienna, Austria, as Bulgaria’s Dara takes the overall top prize.

The nail-biting finish came down to Bulgaria edging out Israel at the end of the public vote.

Israel ultimately took home 343 points overall — 123 from the juries and 220 with the public — while Bulgaria, whose dance hit “Bangaranga” was a crowd favorite — got 204 from the juries and 312 from the public, cementing its first place win with a whopping 516 in total.

Those figures left Israel third overall in the popular vote and eighth in the jury vote, but with enough combined support to propel it to second overall.

Bettan performed his........

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