The Eurovision Song Contest burst into Basel on Sunday, but a parade launching a week of build-up to the grand final was marked by protests over Israel's participation.

The Swiss city is hosting the 69th edition of the world's biggest annual live televised music event, reaching around 160 million viewers.

Organisers said tens of thousands of spectators took to the streets to welcome the 37 artists representing the competing countries.

Europop beats, dramatic staging and earworm choruses dominate the stage but Eurovision's light-hearted kitsch often unfolds against a backdrop of serious geopolitics.

A demonstration took place Sunday to protest Israel's participation in the contest as the nation ramps up its war in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

As the parade began outside Basel's iconic 500-year-old city hall, around a dozen Palestinian flags could be seen waving in the crowd. One banner read: "Israel: open Gaza's borders. Let aid in".

One flag-waving protester was tackled by police officers.

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