Vienna, Austria: Israel has successfully qualified for the grand final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest with the emotional pop ballad Michelle, performed by 28-year-old singer Noam Bettan.
This year’s Eurovision festivities have once again been overshadowed by political tensions linked to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation led five countries to boycott the 2026 edition of the competition, including seven-time Eurovision champions Ireland.
Bettan received a mixed response from the audience during the semi-final in Vienna. While sections of the crowd booed and shouted anti-Israel slogans, many supporters inside the arena cheered loudly and chanted the singer’s name.
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Before taking the stage, Bettan told that he planned to focus entirely on his music and treat criticism as nothing more than ‘background noise.’ The audience reaction was clearly audible during the television broadcast after Austrian broadcaster ORF announced it would not censor boos, protests, or negative reactions directed at contestants.
Following the show, ORF and Eurovision organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, released a joint statement explaining that one audience member positioned close to a microphone loudly interrupted Israel’s performance both before and during the song.
According to the statement, security personnel later removed the individual from the venue for repeatedly disturbing audience members. Three additional spectators were also escorted out of the arena for disruptive behaviour.
Images from the event showed Bettan waving an Israeli flag to the audience at Wiener Stadthalle after learning he had secured a place in the grand finale on May 17th. The first semi-final, held at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna, saw 10 countries qualify for the Eurovision final.
Among the successful acts were Finnish performers Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius with their dramatic song Liekinheitin (Flamethrower), which is currently regarded as one of the favourites to win this year’s contest.
There was disappointment, however, for British music star Boy George. The Culture Club frontman appeared as a guest performer during San Marino’s entry, but the country failed to progress beyond the semi-final stage.
The 10 countries advancing to Saturday’s grand final are:
- Belgium: Essyla – Dancing on the Ice
- Croatia: Lelek – Andromeda
- Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
- Greece: Akylas – Ferto
- Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle
- Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Sólo quiero más
- Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova!
- Poland: Alicja – Pray
- Serbia: Lavina – Kraj Mene
- Sweden: Felicia – My System
Meanwhile, Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal, and San Marino were eliminated from the competition.
Among the unsuccessful acts were several returning Eurovision performers, including Estonian group Vanilla Ninja, San Marino representative Senhit, and Georgian trio Bzikebi, who previously won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008.
The annual contest continues to showcase fierce competition and shifting loyalties, with Eurovision’s famously passionate fanbase once again delivering dramatic results.
A further 15 countries are scheduled to compete in second semi-final on May 14th, battling for the remaining 10 spots in the grand final.
Host nation Austria, along with Eurovision’s four biggest financial contributors, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, have already secured automatic qualification for Saturday’s final.
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