Eurovision Song Contest
Noam Bettan qualified for the grand final after earning enough points to advance.
Bettan’s first performance of “Michelle” at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle drew applause as well as boos and whistles.
The Kan broadcaster described the structure as the largest prop of this year’s event.
The island nation became the fifth country to pull out, after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia.
European Broadcasting Union members “agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation,” the organization said.
“Israel’s presence is untenable,” said RTVE President José Pablo López.
“Now is the time for diplomacy,” stated the director of Austria’s public broadcaster.
Organizers said the members will address the issue during a regular winter session in December.
Four European public broadcasters have already announced they will withdraw from the singing contest if Israeli artists take part.
“There is no reason why Israel should not continue to be a significant part of this cultural event, which must not become political,” said Kan director Golan Yochpaz.
“RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,” the Irish broadcaster said.
The song contest director’s cautious remarks signal a potential policy shift amid mounting anti-Israel pressure from member countries.
