Austria: Demonstrators in Vienna protest Israel’s participation in Eurovision (3).

SHOTLIST: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 16, 2026) 1. PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CARRYING PALESTINIAN FLAGS AND BANNERS (TWO SHOTS) 2. PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR TO VIENNA SALAH ABDEL SHAFI SPEAKING TO REPORTER (English) 3. 25-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN ACTIVIST LISA SPEAKING TO REPORTER (English) VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MAY 16, 2026: More than 1,000 people protested Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on Saturday, May 16, ahead of the competition’s final. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Christian Broda Square before marching toward the Wiener Stadthalle, where the event was being held. Carrying Palestinian flags and banners reading “Do not celebrate genocide,” protesters chanted slogans including “Boycott Israel” and called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel from the contest. Speaking at the demonstration, Palestinian Ambassador to Vienna Salah Abdel Shafi said Eurovision had lost credibility by allowing Israel to participate, while activists called for sanctions against Israel and an end to the violence in Gaza. Several countries, including Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Iceland, have decided to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in response to Israel’s inclusion. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the world’s largest televised music competitions. The European Broadcasting Union previously banned Russia from participating after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Reporting by Salih Okuroglu / Writing by Ayse Elif Erdis