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Protests mar Israel's Eurovision semi-final in Vienna
Israel's Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan expressed surprise after audience members disrupted his performance in Vienna on Tuesday, chanting "stop the genocide" and holding signs demanding a free Palestine.
Several spectators were removed from Wiener Stadthalle after the protests erupted during Bettan's song. One demonstrator had "Free Palestine" painted across his chest.
Contestant reacts to backlash
The 28-year-old singer told the BBC he experienced a "wow effect" when he heard the booing, describing it as a moment of shock. Despite the disruption, Bettan said he focused on supporters waving Israeli flags, which helped him push through.
"I looked for the flags of the people who love me and want me to do my best, and that really carried me."
Noam Bettan, Israel's Eurovision contestant
Eurovision boycotts and political fallout
Israel's participation in this year's Eurovision has been highly contentious since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Five countries-Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia-are boycotting the event, reducing the field to its smallest since 2003.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ called Ireland's involvement "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza," while Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said participation conflicted with its core values. Israeli broadcaster Kan condemned the boycotts as a "cultural boycott" that undermines freedom of expression.
Amnesty International echoed the criticism, accusing the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of "betraying humanity" by allowing Israel to compete.
War in Gaza fuels controversy
The conflict in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign has resulted in over 72,740 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures the UN considers reliable.
Israel has vehemently denied allegations of genocide, a claim made by Amnesty International and other human rights groups.
Past disruptions and voting controversies
This is not the first time Israel's Eurovision performance has faced protests. In 2024, singer Eden Golan faced a mix of cheers and boos in Sweden, while in 2025, protesters attempted to storm the stage during Yuval Raphael's performance in Switzerland.
Bettan revealed he had prepared for potential backlash, though he admitted no rehearsal could fully replicate the experience. "You can't bring 13,000 people to a rehearsal room and get them to boo," he said.
The controversy extended to voting rules after Bettan urged fans on social media to use all 10 of their votes for Israel. The EBU rebuked him, calling the post "not in the spirit" of the competition, and demanded its removal. A formal warning was issued to Israel's broadcaster, Kan.
Last year, an Israeli government-backed campaign to boost votes for Raphael sparked accusations of unfair influence after he won the public vote but finished second overall. The EBU found no evidence of irregularities.
Bettan's message of unity
Despite the turmoil, Bettan delivered a confident performance, drawing strength from his song's lyrics. "There's a moment at the end of the song when I sing in Hebrew and it means, 'There's always someone listening,'" he said. "In that moment, I felt that I was singing my heart out to my people."
Qualifying for Saturday's grand final, Bettan remains focused on his mission. "I'm not looking at the hate-I look at the bright side," he said. "I'm here to unite and spread my light."
Further protests are expected outside the event, but Bettan said he is determined to make the most of the opportunity. Eurovision director Martin Green emphasized the organization's preference for dialogue over sanctions, stating, "We hope to teach the world that conflict can be resolved collegially."
