Israel qualify for Eurovision 2026 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 reach the last round after appearing on stage for San Marino.

The first semi-final took place on Tuesday, May 12, ahead of the contest’s final in Vienna this weekend. Israel’s place in the grand final was confirmed after Noam Bettan, 28, performed the song “Michelle.”

The country’s participation has remained contentious because of its military action in Gaza, and several nations have already withdrawn from this year’s competition in protest. The 70th edition of Eurovision will be held in Vienna on Saturday, May 16. Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have all boycotted the event over Israel’s inclusion.

Reports have also said that Israel’s government ran a “well-organised campaign” to position Eurovision as a “soft power” platform.

During the semi-final, Bettan received a mixed reaction from the crowd. Some spectators cheered, while others booed and shouted anti-Israel slogans. As The Independent reported, one person could be heard for around a minute during the performance, saying “Stop the genocide” during the song’s introduction.

Austrian broadcaster ORF, which is hosting the contest, had already said it would not censor negative audience reactions toward any contestant. ORF later issued a joint statement with Eurovision organiser the EBU after the disruption during Bettan’s set.

The statement said the audience member heard most clearly during the introduction had stood “close to a microphone” and was “later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience” according to BBC News.

It also confirmed that “three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour”.

Amnesty International called on Tuesday for Israel to be suspended from the contest and criticised the EBU for not taking the same step it took with Russia in 2022 after the invasion of 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 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 genocide and denies committing any war crimes. It says its military 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 led to 250 hostages being taken.

Failure to suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it continues to commit genocide in Gaza, unlawful occupation and apartheid against Palestinians, is an act of cowardice and double standards. #HumanityMustWin — Amnesty International (@amnesty) May 11, 2026

The Amnesty statement was backed by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Instagram.

“I join Amnesty International in condemning #Eurovision and call everyone with a conscience not to watch it,” she wrote. “BIG THANK YOU to the five countries who withdrew from the competition.”

Pressure to exclude Israel has also come from No Music For Genocide, which issued an open letter signed by more than 1,100 cultural workers and artists calling for a boycott of this year’s Eurovision unless Israel was banned from taking part.

The letter was first published on April 21 and included signatures from 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 others.

Ten countries qualified for the final on Tuesday night: Israel, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden.

Those eliminated after performing were Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal and San Marino.

San Marino was represented by returning Eurovision performer Senhit and featured a guest appearance from Culture Club singer Boy George.

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

The “Karma Chameleon” singer was also among the names attached to a 2024 open letter backing Israel’s continued presence in Eurovision that year, alongside Sharon Osbourne, Gene Simmons and Scooter Braun.

The final lineup also includes the four biggest financial contributors to the contest: France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, all of whom qualify automatically.

A second semi-final takes place on Thursday, May 14, with 15 more countries competing for 10 places in Saturday’s final.