Eurovision grand final set for Saturday amid boycott and protests over Israel

The Eurovision grand final takes place Saturday in Vienna with 25 acts competing, as Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia boycott over Israel’s participation.eurovisionworld
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said Friday that boycotting over the Gaza war puts Spain “on the right side of history,” drawing parallels to Russia’s exclusion.rte
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in Vienna on Thursday under the slogan “No Stage for Genocide,” while security forces maintain airport-level protocols at the venue.rte

Israel’s Eurovision Entry Faces Protests Ahead of Vienna Grand Final

As the Eurovision Song Contest grand final gets underway Saturday evening in Vienna, Israel’s participation remains at the center of a political firestorm that has produced a five-country boycott, audience ejections, and large street demonstrations over the war in Gaza.

Disruption at the Semi-Final

Israeli singer Noam Bettan qualified for the final after performing his song “Michelle” during Tuesday’s semi-final at the Wiener Stadthalle, but the performance was marred by loud chants of “stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine” from audience members. Four people were ejected from the venue, including one with “Free Palestine” written across his chest. The European Broadcasting Union confirmed it muted the audience sound feed to prevent the protest from dominating the broadcast.bbc

Bettan, 28, told the BBC he experienced “a little bit of shock” at the disruption but managed to steady himself by looking for Israeli flags in the crowd. He revealed that his preparation for Eurovision included practicing with simulated booing from crew members, though he conceded the exercise had its limits. “You can’t bring 13,000 people to a rehearsal room and get them to boo,” he said.gbnews

Spain Leads Boycott, Citing “Genocide”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended his country’s decision to withdraw from the contest in a video posted to X on Friday. “In the face of illegal war and also genocide, silence is not an option,” Sánchez said, adding that Spain’s absence reflects its commitment to human rights and international law. He drew a parallel with the exclusion of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, arguing there should be no double standards.rte

Spain is joined in the boycott by Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, making this the smallest Eurovision since 2003. Ireland’s RTÉ said participation was “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” while Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared it “incompatible with the public values that are essential to us”.anews

Security and Street Protests

Vienna police have described the contest as one of the largest security operations the city has faced, with airport-style screening protocols in place at the Stadthalle and several hundred additional officers deployed daily. On Thursday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched under the banner “No Stage for Genocide,” accusing Eurovision organizers of “normalisation of war crimes”.timesofisrael

Despite the tensions, Bettan is expected to finish in or around the top five Saturday evening. Israel is scheduled to perform third in the running order of 25 acts. “I was very proud to be here and very proud to represent my country,” he told the BBC.eurovisionworld