Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: Boycotts, Security Threats, and Controversies
Where things stand
Updated May 12, 12:37 PMThe 70th Eurovision Song Contest grand final is set for tonight, 16 May, in Vienna, with 35 countries participating. Five countries—Ireland, Iceland, Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain—have withdrawn, citing Israel's involvement amid the war in Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) issued a formal warning to Israeli broadcaster KAN after entrant Noam Bettan posted videos urging votes for Israel, a direct rule violation. Semi-finals took place on 12 and 14 May under heightened security, including bomb-sniffing dogs, as organizers also implemented voting rule changes to restore trust following past controversies.
Open questions
- What are the semi-final results, and which countries have advanced to the grand final?Open since May 14, 2026
- Will further countries withdraw or protests escalate before or during the final?Open since May 12, 2026
- How will the November 2024 voting rule changes affect the outcome, especially regarding Israel?Open since May 9, 2026
- Are there ongoing investigations into foreign influence on Eurovision voting beyond the EBU's warning?Open since May 12, 2026
- What specific security threats prompted the deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs and other measures?Open since May 12, 2026
- Is the EBU considering any additional disciplinary actions against Israel or other participants?Open since May 9, 2026
Key actors
What's corroborated
The reason is promotional videos on social media that appeared on Friday, where Israel's representative Noam Bettan urges countries to vote for them in several languages.
6 sourcesacross 2 articlesThe EBU has given the Israeli public broadcaster KAN an official warning.
6 sourcesThe semi-finals take place at 8pm UK time on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May.
6 sourcesacross 2 articlesFive countries – Ireland, Iceland, Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain – have withdrawn, citing Israel's participation due to its warfare in Gaza.
5 sourcesacross 1 articleAnother criticism of Israel in the Eurovision context has been the extensive marketing campaigns for votes in connection with the competition.
4 sourcesacross 1 article
Timeline24
2026-05-14: Bulgaria's representative DARA and song 'Bangaranga' confirmed for Eurovision 2026.
Security measures expanded to include drone defense and 15,000 background checks, in addition to bomb-sniffing dogs.
2026-05-12: Greek entrant Akylas revealed with song 'Ferto' about greed and overconsumption.
2026-05-11: Finnish broadcaster Yle sends commentator Mikko Silvennoinen back to Finland from Vienna due to cost-cutting; he will commentate from Helsinki.
2026-05-11: Swedish entrant Felicia reveals she received death threats after commenting on Israel's participation and faced rehearsal challenges, but remains confident of advancing to the final.
2026-05-10: Norwegian contestant Jonas Lovv warned by production that his performance is too sexy and must be toned down before the second semi-final.
2026-05-10: Eurovision opening ceremony criticized for being mostly in German, disappointing international viewers.
2026-05-10: Eurovision 2026 officially opens with a turquoise carpet ceremony in Vienna.
2026-05-09: Eurovision organizers ban non-approved flags at the event, citing fire safety concerns.
2026-05-09: Multiple major outlets report EBU's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-seeking videos, reinforcing existing claims.
2026-05-09: Multiple major outlets report EBU's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-solicitation videos, reinforcing existing claims.
2026-05-09: Multiple major outlets report EBU's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-solicitation videos, reinforcing existing claims.
2026-05-09: Multiple major media outlets confirm Eurovision's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-seeking videos, reinforcing earlier reports.
2026-05-09: Multiple major media outlets confirm Eurovision's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-seeking videos, reinforcing earlier reports.
2026-05-09: Multiple major media outlets confirm Eurovision's formal warning to Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-seeking videos, reinforcing earlier reports.
2026-05-09: Eurovision warns Israel over Noam Bettan's vote-seeking videos, days before the competition.
2026-05-07: An Israeli association campaigns for votes ahead of Eurovision, urging supporters to vote 20 times.
2026-05-07: Security experts warn of cyberattacks, disinformation, and physical violence threats against Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, amid record-low participation of 35 countries.
2026-05-06: Vienna deploys a dedicated 24/7 security task force for Eurovision amid terror and protest fears, reinforcing existing measures.