(CNN) The Netherlands triumphed at a controversial Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, taking home the title in a kitsch competition that found itself dancing around an uncomfortably political spotlight.

Duncan Laurence was the firm favorite before the show, and the little-known Dutch singer received rapturous applause in the arena after performing his song "Arcade." He confirmed victory after scoring strongly with both the public and national juries, beating Italy and Russia to the title.

"This is to dreaming big. This is to music first, always," he said after being confirmed as winner -- the first victor his country has had since 1975. The United Kingdom, by contrast, slumped to the bottom spot.

The contest also featured a performance from American superstar Madonna, and a crowd-pleasing segment that saw previous winners sing hit songs from the competition's history.

But, like a handful of editions in the past, it struggled to shake off an overbearing political row. After protests in the host city and abroad leading up to the show , popular Icelandic group Hatari raised Palestinian flags during the broadcast.

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