17.05.2026 02:00
During the Grand Final of the Eurovision 2026 Song Contest held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, a Palestinian flag was unfurled in the hall during Israel's stage performance. Despite intense security measures, the flag was waved in the stands right next to the Israeli delegation, captured by cameras, while thousands protested Israel's participation in the contest outside the arena.
The Grand Final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, was overshadowed by political tensions and protests. During the stage performance of Israel, whose participation in the contest had been a subject of great controversy for months, a Palestinian flag was unfurled despite the security measures in the hall.
FLAG PROTEST NEAR THE DELEGATION
During the grand final held at the Wiener Stadthalle Arena, tense moments occurred in the stands as the Israeli representative performed their song. Spectators located very close to the Israeli delegation expressed their reaction by unfurling a Palestinian flag during the live performance. Those moments were captured on the mobile phone cameras of other audience members in the hall. Despite the contest management's strict flag restrictions and security protocols, the peaceful protest was notable.
"BOYCOTT" CHANTS IN VIENNA STREETS
Not only inside the hall but also outside the arena became a scene of intense protests. Thousands of activists gathered around the Wiener Stadthalle, which was surrounded by a wide security cordon by Austrian police, harshly criticized Israel's non-exclusion from the contest due to its military operations in Gaza.
The demonstrators recalled Russia's expulsion from the contest after the war in Ukraine and accused the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of applying "double standards." Palestine's Ambassador to Vienna, Salah Abdel Shafi, also stated in a statement that Israel's participation in the contest was "an insult to art, culture, and humanity."
5 COUNTRIES HAD WITHDRAWN FROM THE CONTEST
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is hosting one of the biggest boycott waves in recent years in response to Israel's participation. Five countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland, had decided not to participate in this year's contest to protest the EBU's decisions.