Austria: Vienna tightens security ahead of Eurovision amid protests over Israel’s participation.

SHOTLIST: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (MAY 12, 2026) 1. CLOSE SHOT OF 2026 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST POSTER 2. VARIOUS OF SECURITY MEASURES IN VIENNA AHEAD OF 2026 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST / AUDIENCE WAITING FOR EVENT VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MAY 12: Security measures were increased in Vienna, Austria, ahead of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest amid growing protests across Europe over Israel’s participation in the competition. Several countries and broadcasters announced boycott decisions or alternative programming plans during the contest period. Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, one of the countries automatically qualified for the final, announced it would not air the event for the first time since 1961 due to Israel’s participation. Ireland also joined countries boycotting and refusing to broadcast the competition, while Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV SLO said it would air special programming titled “Voices of Palestine” during the Eurovision dates. Protests and boycott calls have also intensified in countries still participating in the contest, including Portugal, Greece, Malta and Belgium. More than 1,000 artists signed an open letter under the “No Music for Genocide” campaign calling on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israeli broadcaster KAN from the competition. Former Eurovision winners Nemo and Charlie McGettigan also announced plans to return their awards in protest against Israel’s participation.