Eurovision says will not censor boos aimed at ‘Israel’ during 2026 contest

• Austrian broadcaster ORF said it will not censor boos during ‘Israel’s’ 2026 Eurovision performance, abandoning the previous practice of using artificial applause to mask negative audience reactions.
• Five countries—Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland—are boycotting the event over ‘Israel's’ participation, reducing the total number of entries to the lowest level since 2003.

The Austrian public broadcaster ORF, set to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, has declared that it will not censor audience boos directed at ‘Israel's’ performance.

This policy marks a departure from previous practices and is set to take place during the event scheduled for May 12, 14, and 16, 2026.

Executive producer Michael Kroen emphasized that the broadcaster's role is to depict events authentically, stating, "We will not sugarcoat anything or avoid showing what is happening."

ORF's director of programming, Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, confirmed that no artificial applause would be overlaid to mute boos, unlike in prior contests.

Additionally, Palestinian flags will be permitted in the arena provided they adhere to legal standards on size and security, with no plans to censor mentions of Gaza.

The decision follows controversies in recent Eurovision editions, including the 2025 contest, where artificial sounds were reportedly used to drown out negative reactions during ‘Israel's’ act.

‘Israel's’ participation has drawn persistent criticism linked to the assault on Gaza.

‘Israel’ killed over 70,700 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.

In response to these tensions, five national broadcasters—Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland—have boycotted the 2026 event, deeming ‘Israel's’ inclusion unconscionable.

This reduces participation to 35 countries, the lowest since 2003, despite the contest's slogan "United by Music."

ORF and the Austrian government have affirmed strong support for ‘Israel's’ involvement, with Director General Roland Weissmann visiting ‘Israel’ in November 2025 to underscore this stance.

Protests have extended beyond boycotts, with 2024 winner Nemo from Switzerland returning their trophy in December 2025, citing a conflict between Eurovision's values of unity and the Gaza situation, which a UN commission has described as genocide.

Irish winners from 1994, Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington, plan similar actions in solidarity.