Israel's Eurovision Singer Noam Bettan Shocked by Protests During Vienna Semi-Final

Israel's Eurovision contestant Noam Bettan said protests disrupted his semi-final performance in Vienna.

Several audience members, including one with "Free Palestine" written across his chest, were removed from Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday night after chants of "stop the genocide" rang out during his song.

"I was aware," Bettan, 28, told the BBC. "I heard there was booing and everything, and there was a moment of, like, a wow effect, you know? A little bit of shock."

Israel's participation in Eurovision has drawn controversy since the Gaza war began in 2023.

Public broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia are boycotting this year's event, the smallest field since 2003.

Ireland's RTÉ called its involvement "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza." The Netherlands' Avrotros said participation was "incompatible with the public values that are essential to us."

Israeli broadcaster Kan labeled the absences a "cultural boycott" that "harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression."

Bettan expressed hope the five could return next year. "It's bad for them," he said. "They're losing the opportunity to be in this amazing experience. So I am full of hope that next year they can sing and spread their light."

Amnesty International echoed the criticisms, accusing the European Broadcasting Union of "betrayed humanity" by letting Israel compete.

The Gaza war started with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostage.

Israel launched a military campaign in response. More than 72,740 people have died in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, figures deemed reliable by the United Nations.

Israel denies allegations from Amnesty International and other groups that its forces committed genocide against Palestinians.

After the chants hit during Tuesday's semi-final, Bettan said he focused on supportive flags. "I looked for the flags of the people who love me and want me to do my best, and that really carried me."

Disruptions are not new for Israel at Eurovision. Eden Golan faced boos in Sweden two years ago. Last year in Switzerland, two protesters tried to storm the stage and throw paint at Yuval Raphael's performance.

Bettan practiced booing in rehearsals but said it fell short. "You can't bring 13,000 people to a rehearsal room and get them to boo. I had a few people in my crew trying to make it hard for me, to practice for this moment -- but you can't really prepare for this."

Austria's host broadcaster ORF said it will not ban Palestinian flags or censor booing. Tuesday's removals stemmed from more disruptive actions.

Bettan delivered a strong performance and drew strength from the lyrics. "There's a moment at the end of the song when I sing in Hebrew and it means, 'There's always someone listening,'" he said. "And in that moment, I felt that I was singing my heart out to my people."

He called it a cliche but said the moment moved him. He added he felt "very proud to be here and very proud to represent my country."

Bettan also sparked a small voting flap by urging fans on social media to use all 10 votes for Israel in Saturday's grand final.

Organizers called the post out of the competition's spirit and demanded its deletion. They warned Kan.

The move recalled an Israeli government-backed vote campaign for Raphael last year, which some countries said unfairly boosted Israel. Raphael led the public vote but placed second overall. The EBU found no irregularities.

Bettan said he did not know the guidelines against such appeals and deleted the post.

Eurovision director Martin Green told BBC News disqualification was far off for any violations. "If there is a problem, we start a conversation and we try and resolve it amicably, without reaching for sanctions."

"There's a lot of hate outside. I'm not looking at it -- I look at the bright side," Bettan said. "I don't even feel that I'm in a competition. There's such talented artists here, and I'm here to unite. I'm here to spread my light, my colour in this world."