Four countries quit Eurovision 2026 after Israel’s song disruption
Key takeaways
- Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has caused Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia to pull out of the world’s biggest live televised music event.
- “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.
- Bettan told BBC television on Wednesday he was “aware” of what was happening in the audience.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize As 28-year-old Israeli singer Noam Bettan began his performance of “Michelle” during Tuesday’s live show, a protester could be heard shouting “Stop, stop the genocide”, and “Free, free Palestine”.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has caused Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia to pull out of the world’s biggest live televised music event. Eurovision is run by the European Broadcasting Union, the world’s biggest alliance of public-service media.
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.