Four people were removed from the first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final after attempts to disrupt Israel's performance, organisers have said.
As 28-year-old Israeli singer Noam Bettan began his performance of Michelle during Tuesday night’s live show in Vienna, a protester could be heard shouting: "Stop, stop the genocide" and "Free, free Palestine".
Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has prompted Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia to withdraw from the contest.
There has been continued unease among some broadcasters over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, as well as concerns about voting integrity following last year’s contest.
Some participating broadcasters have also raised concerns about media freedom, with Israel preventing international journalists from accessing Gaza.
The European Broadcasting Union, the alliance of public-service media organisations, runs the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a joint statement, Austrian host broadcaster ORF and the EBU said: "An audience of 10,000 fans in the Wiener Stadthalle at the first semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna greeted every artist enthusiastically.
"ORF is broadcasting a clean audio feed live from audience microphones before and during every performer’s song.
"One audience member, close to a microphone, loudly expressed their views as the Israeli artist began his performance, and during the song, which was heard on the live broadcast. They were later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience.
"Three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour."
Asked shortly before the semi-final whether Eurovision had plans to lower the crowd volume on the broadcast in case there were attempts to disrupt Israel’s performance, executive producer Michael Kroen said: "The crowd volume will be the same for all the contestants."
Fifteen countries competed in the first semi-final, with Bettan among the ten acts who progressed to Saturday’s grand final following votes from the public and professional juries.
Speaking afterwards, Bettan said: "I was free, I was me, I was authentic, I felt like my voice is in a good place… and I enjoyed every moment.
"There were moments when I felt that I’m just singing to my people back home."
On Tuesday, a few dozen pro-Palestinian activists placed coffins in central Vienna in protest at Israel’s participation.
Further demonstrations are planned in the Austrian capital during the rest of Eurovision week.
The Grand Final takes place on Saturday night.
Source: AFP
