Israel Qualify for Eurovision Final Amid Protests, While Boy George Misses Out with San Marino

Israel has qualified for the Eurovision 2026 final despite audible protests during its semi-final performance, while Boy George failed to make the cut with San Marino.

The contest’s first semi-final took place on Tuesday May 12, setting up the weekend finale in Vienna. Israel’s place in the grand final was confirmed after Noam Bettan, 28, performed the song “Michelle”, even as the atmosphere inside the arena turned sharply divided.

That reaction has been building for years. Israel’s participation has become increasingly contentious amid the country’s military action in Gaza, and several nations have already stepped away from this year’s competition in protest. Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are among the countries that have boycotted the 70th edition, which takes place on Saturday May 16.

There have also been reports alleging that Israel’s government ran a “well-organised campaign” to position Eurovision as a “soft power” instrument.

During Bettan’s performance, the audience response split fast. Some fans cheered, others booed and shouted anti-Israel slogans. As reported by The Independent, one person could be heard for roughly a minute during the introduction calling out “Stop the genocide”.

Austrian broadcaster ORF, which is hosting this year’s contest, said before the show that it would not censor negative reactions from the crowd aimed at any participant. After Bettan’s performance, ORF and Eurovision organisers the EBU issued a joint statement addressing the disruption.

The statement said the audience member heard most clearly during the introduction had been standing “close to a microphone” and was “later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience” (via BBC News). It also confirmed that “three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour”.

Amnesty International renewed pressure on the EBU to suspend Israel from the contest, arguing the organisation had not applied the same standard used in 2022, when Russia was excluded over its war on Ukraine.

“The failure of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it did with Russia, is an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double standards when it comes to Israel”, said Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard.

“Instead of sending a clear message that there is a cost for Israel’s atrocity crimes against the Palestinian people, the EBU has given Israel this international stage even as it continues to commit genocide in Gaza, unlawful occupation, and apartheid. The EBU is betraying the values of the Eurovision Song Contest, which include freedom from intolerance, hate speech, and discrimination”.

Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations of waging genocide and denies committing war crimes, saying its actions are lawful self-defence after Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 2023, which killed over 1,100 people and saw 250 taken hostage.

Amnesty’s statement was echoed by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who posted on Instagram: “I join Amnesty International in condemning #Eurovision and call everyone with a conscience not to watch it. BIG THANK YOU to the five countries who withdrew from the competition.”

Pressure around Israel’s participation has also come from No Music For Genocide, whose open letter, first shared on April 21, was signed by more than 1,100 cultural workers and artists. The letter called on fans to boycott Eurovision unless Israel is removed from the lineup. Signatories included Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Paloma Faith, Paul Weller, Kneecap, Hot Chip, Of Monsters and Men, IDLES, Primal Scream, Sigur Rós, Young Fathers, Mogwai, Black Country New Road, Erika de Casier, Nadine Shah, Dry Cleaning, Ólafur Arnalds, David Holmes, Nemahsis, Macklemore, Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, Vacations, Smerz, several former Eurovision finalists, and more.

In total, 10 countries advanced from Tuesday night’s semi-final: Israel, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden.

Those who missed out after performing were Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal and San Marino. San Marino’s entry featured returning Eurovision performer Senhit and a guest appearance from Culture Club singer Boy George.

Earlier this month, Boy George shared a video of himself hugging Israel’s Noam Bettan during rehearsals and wishing him luck before the contest.

The “Karma Chameleon” singer also appeared in the Eurovision debate last year, when he was among the public figures who signed an open letter urging that Israel remain in the 2024 contest. Sharon Osbourne, Gene Simmons and Scooter Braun were among the other names attached.

Other acts already guaranteed places in the Eurovision 2026 final include the four biggest financial contributors: France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

A second semi-final takes place tomorrow night, Thursday May 14, with 15 more countries competing for the remaining 10 places in the final.