Noam Bettan, Israel’s representative at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, has expressed his “shock” at the disruption that occurred during his semi-final appearance in Vienna on Tuesday evening.
Multiple spectators were ejected from the Wiener Stadthalle after shouting “stop the genocide” whilst Mr Bettan performed his entry.
One individual removed from the venue had “Free Palestine” painted across his torso.
“I was aware,” the 28-year-old 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.”
Noam Bettan was ‘shocked by the protesting during his Eurovision performance
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The heckling began during the introduction to his song, Michelle, and remained audible for approximately sixty seconds before the microphones stopped picking up the protest.
Israel’s participation in the 70th edition of the contest has proved deeply divisive since the Gaza conflict began in 2023.
Public broadcasters from five nations – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia – have refused to participate this year, resulting in the smallest Eurovision since 2003.
RTÉ stated that Ireland’s involvement was “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” whilst Dutch broadcaster Avrotros declared participation “incompatible with the public values that are essential to us.”
Israel’s participation in the 70th edition of the contest has proved deeply divisive since the Gaza conflict began in 2023
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Israeli broadcaster Kan has characterised these absences as a “cultural boycott” that “harms freedom of creation and freedom of expression.”
Despite the hostile reception, Mr Bettan managed to deliver a confident performance by focusing on his supporters in the crowd.
“I looked for the flags of the people who love me and want me to do my best, and that really carried me,” he told the BBC.
The singer revealed that his preparation for Eurovision included practising with simulated booing, though he acknowledged the limitations of such rehearsals.
Bettan managed to deliver a confident performance by focusing on his supporters in the crowd
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“You can’t bring 13,000 people to a rehearsal room and get them to boo,” he explained. “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.”
Mr Bettan described finding particular strength in the Hebrew lyrics at the song’s conclusion, which translate as “There’s always someone listening.”
“In that moment, I felt that I was singing my heart out to my people,” he said, adding he was “very proud to be here and very proud to represent my country.”
Mr Bettan has also found himself at the centre of a minor controversy after urging fans on social media to cast all 10 of their available votes for Israel in Saturday’s grand final.
Eurovision organisers issued a rebuke, stating the post “wasn’t in the spirit” of the competition and demanding its removal. A formal warning was subsequently issued to Kan.
The singer told the BBC he had been unaware of guidelines discouraging contestants from campaigning for multiple votes and had deleted the post.
Eurovision director Martin Green downplayed the prospect of disqualification, telling BBC News: “We’re a long way from any of that.”
Having successfully qualified from Tuesday’s semi-final, Mr Bettan is expected to finish in or around the top five on Saturday, with further protests anticipated outside the venue.