Israel makes Eurovision grand final after protestor ‘forcibly removed’ during performance

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has officially returned for its 70th year — and while the first semi-final saw countries battling for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final, it was Israel’s qualification that once again sparked the most controversy.

Hosted in Vienna after Austrian winner JJ triumphed last year, the first semi-final saw 15 countries take to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday night, all hoping to secure one of just 10 available spots in the final.

But as Israeli contestant Noam Bettan performed his entry Michelle, viewers claimed they could hear boos and pro-Palestine chants breaking through the arena noise during the broadcast.

Later in the evening, news spread on social media that a pro-Palestine protester had allegedly been removed from the arena during the performance.

Israel nevertheless advanced to the Grand Final alongside Sweden, Finland, Greece, Belgium, Moldova, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland.

Viewers online quickly became divided over Bettan’s performance and the atmosphere inside the arena.

‘Israel are being chanted off by someone who can be heard very clearly by the mic’s this year,’ one viewer wrote on X during the performance.

Another claimed: ‘I heard booing, I heard people shouting “Palestine”.’

But support for the act was equally vocal online.

‘Go Israel, you smashed the stage,’ one fan posted, while another argued that Israel and Poland had ‘the best voices in this semifinal, no doubt’.

The tense response comes after months of renewed controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Last week, Israeli broadcaster KAN received a formal warning from Eurovision organisers after Bettan appeared in promotional videos encouraging viewers to use all 10 of their votes on Israel — something which breached updated contest rules designed to prevent broadcasters and artists from influencing voting campaigns.

The European Broadcasting Union confirmed it had intervened within minutes of becoming aware of the videos, ordering their removal.

The contest’s executive director Martin Green said Eurovision must remain ‘a celebration of music and unity’ and warned that attempts to manipulate the voting system could result in sanctions.

But for many viewers, the controversy surrounding Israel’s involvement has already become impossible to separate from the competition itself.

Metro journalist Pierra Willix, who is in Vienna covering the contest, noted that despite the city being on ‘high alert’ over fears that the event presents a prime target for terrorists, the atmosphere outside the stadium on Tuesday evening was relatively calm.

‘After being in Basel last year where there were protests outside the stadium that saw police separating pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protestors, I was expecting the tension would be heightened this year, especially after five countries boycotted over Israel’s ongoing inclusion,’ she said.

‘While there was airport-style security screenings for fans and media entering the stadium, the process was quick and efficient.

‘I was also expecting to see protests outside the stadium. I didn’t see a single person opposing the contest, but did see a resident living opposite the stadium had hung a Palestinian flag on their balcony.’

Last year’s final in Basel, Switzerland, saw major pro-Palestine protests erupt both outside and inside the arena, while two demonstrators reportedly attempted to rush the stage during Israel’s performance before being stopped by security.

Elsewhere in tonight’s semifinal, the biggest upset came courtesy of Alicja for Poland, who managed to outperform expectations and snatch a qualifying spot despite many predictions placing her among the likely exits.

Her dramatic staging and powerhouse vocals appeared to give her the edge over SENHIT, whose elimination means Boy George’s Eurovision adventure has also come to an abrupt end.

Other results were as expected, with Finland and Greece among the strongest favourites on the ground in Vienna for days, while Sweden and Israel were also widely expected to sail through to Saturday’s Grand Final.

Meanwhile, several of the countries eliminated tonight had spent weeks languishing near the bottom of the betting tables.

Portugal, Montenegro, Georgia and Estonia had all struggled to gain momentum with fans and bookmakers alike ahead of the live show.

As for UK viewers, there’s still plenty to come.

While the UK automatically qualifies for the Grand Final as part of Eurovision’s so-called ‘Big Five’, British audiences will still be keeping an eye on Antigoni representing Cyprus, alongside eccentric inventor-musician Look Mum No Computer, who performs for the UK during Thursday’s second semi-final.

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