The Eurovision Song Contest is under way in Vienna, with the first semi-final taking place amid heightened security and continuing controversy over Israel's participation.
This year marks the 70th edition of the contest, with Austria hosting after singer JJ won Eurovision 2025 with Wasted Love.
However, the competition is unfolding in unusual circumstances, with RTÉ among a number of broadcasters boycotting this year’s event.
RTÉ confirmed in December that Ireland would not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest and would not broadcast the competition after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel would be allowed to take part.
In a statement at the time, RTÉ said Ireland’s participation remained "unconscionable" given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and said it was deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to Gaza.
Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia are not taking part this year, reducing the number of participating countries to 35, the lowest total since 2003.
The contest opened on Tuesday night with 15 countries competing in the first semi-final.
The countries taking part are Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland and Serbia.
Germany and Italy, who automatically qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final, will also perform and vote during the show.
Reuters reported that tension in the city was palpable ahead of the semi-final, although a pro-Palestinian protest in the afternoon, which had initially been expected to involve around 500 people, drew about 30 people.
Larger demonstrations are still expected later in the week, with Vienna police preparing for protests linked to Israel’s participation during Eurovision week.
The build-up to Tuesday’s semi-final has also been marked by a formal warning to Israeli broadcaster KAN after promotional videos with an on-screen instruction to "vote 10 times for Israel" were published and released by the artist representing KAN.
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Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said a direct call to use the ten available votes on one artist or song was not in line with the rules or the spirit of the competition.
He said the videos were removed after the Israeli delegation was contacted, and that KAN had been issued with a formal warning.
The controversy comes as this year's contest also tests new voting rules introduced after complaints about the mobilisation of votes in last year’s competition.
Police in Vienna have said drones will be banned within 1.5km of sites including the contest venue, while cybersecurity preparations and airport-style security screenings are also in place.
Authorities have said there is no specific threat against the contest, although Austria’s terrorism alert level remains at its second-highest level.
The reduced number of participating and broadcasting countries is expected to affect viewing figures, after last year’s contest drew an audience of 166 million.
Martin Green has said he hopes the countries boycotting this year’s contest will return in future years, saying the event should continue to bring audiences together.
Thursday’s second semi-final will see Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta and Norway compete for the remaining places in Saturday’s Grand Final.
Host country Austria, along with France and the United Kingdom, will also perform and vote during the show.
The first semi-final is taking place tonight, ahead of the second semi-final on Thursday and Saturday’s Grand Final.
Additional reporting: Reuters
