Protests mark Eurovision 2026 first semi-final in Vienna

The first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna was held under heightened security due to ongoing tensions surrounding Israel's participation. During the performance of Israeli representative Noam Betan at the Wiener Stadthalle, segments of the audience chanted slogans such as "stop the genocide" and displayed Palestinian flags. The Austrian public broadcaster, ORF, had previously stated it would not ban Palestinian flags or censor audience reactions. Authorities confirmed that one protester was arrested inside the arena during the performance, though no further details were provided. Five countries—Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland—have boycotted this year's competition to protest Israel's military actions in Gaza. Activist groups in Vienna, led by director Haim Bresheeth, have organized demonstrations outside the venue, labeling the event a platform for political controversy. Meanwhile, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig emphasized that security measures remain a priority to maintain the safety of the event. The contest currently features 35 participating countries, the lowest number since 2003.