ISRAEL'S REAL CHANCE OF WIN

Fans query surge in votes

- NICOLA METHVEN

TONIGHT'S Eurovision Song Contest final has been hit by claims of a phone vote sting amid anger over Israel's appearance.

The country's entrant, Eden Golan, shot from odds 50/1 to 8/1 during the second semi-final on Thursday, when results showed she received 39% of the Italian phone vote.

Some fans cried foul over such a high percentage going to one of 16 acts taking part. Eden, 20, was greeted by boos during rehearsal and has had to have 24-hour protection ahead of her appearance in the final.

Despite attempts to remain nonpolitical, the contest in Malmo, Sweden, has been mired in bitter rows over Israel's onslaught in Gaza.

The death toll in the Strip is thought to have reached 35,000, with Israeli troops set to launch an assault on the city of Rafah.

ON EXPERT More than 1,000 Swedish musicians wrote an open letter calling for Israel to be banned.

Ireland's Bambi Thug was told to remove pro-Palestine messages she had drawn on herself before performing in the first semi-final.