Eurovision Defends Removing Pro-Palestine Chants from Israel's Performance Video
Eurovision organizers have defended their decision to edit out pro-Palestine protests from the official YouTube upload of Israel’s semi-final performance. During the live broadcast in Basel, Austria, audience chants of "stop the genocide" and "free Palestine" were audible as Israeli representative Noam Bettan performed his entry, "Michelle." However, these audio elements were removed from the on-demand video, prompting accusations of censorship from viewers. A spokesperson stated that the contest aims to keep the focus on artists and music, noting that Austrian broadcaster ORF provides a clean audio feed. Security personnel removed four individuals from the arena for disruptive behavior, including one person with "Free Palestine" written on their chest. Bettan acknowledged the protests, describing them as a shock but emphasizing his focus on supportive fans. The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Israel's participation in the contest, which previously led five countries, including Spain, to withdraw from the 2026 event in solidarity with Palestine.
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