REPORTAGE. "I hesitated to come" : in Vienna, fans celebrate Eurovision but the presence of Israel continues to agitate the competition

This year, Vienna, Austria, is hosting Eurovision. Since 2024, Israel’s participation has caused tensions, linked to the offensive against Gaza and its humanitarian consequences. This year, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia announced that they were not participating in the competition, to protest against the decision of the European Broadcasting Union, organizer of the event, to authorize the participation of a candidate from the Hebrew state. Despite the controversies, on site in Vienna, the atmosphere is festive for fans of the competition.

At the EuroVillage, where fans were able to follow the semi-finals on May 12 and 14, we are quite far from the controversies. Thousands of people gathered to party and everywhere we can read the Eurovision slogan, “United by music”. Ronny, from Norway, wears a magnificent sequined jacket. For him, the boycott is useless: “It’s important to support the competition. The countries that are boycotting are wrong, it only gives other countries a boost to climb the rankings.”

“I believe in the idea that we are united by music, because when you are connected by music and you don’t think too much about politics, it makes the world a better place.”

This German fan has a more nuanced position, but remains determined to enjoy the party: “Of course, I wonder, there are good reasons for Israel not to participate. But that’s not our responsibility. In the meantime, let’s try to have a little fun.” As for this fan from England, she kicks in despite a bad memory of the 2024 edition, already marked by tensions around the participation of Israel: “I hesitated to come because when I was in Malmö in Sweden in 2024, it was anxiety-inducing, but since I’ve been here, I find that the atmosphere is much better. On Israel, it’s up to the organizer to decide, it’s not It’s up to me to have an opinion on that.”

The atmosphere changes when you leave the EuroVillage. Amnesty International has set up a stand where photos of a Gazan photographer are displayed, and where you can listen to testimonies from young women from Gaza, broadcast over loudspeakers. Athir, one of the stand managers, is Palestinian and has lived in Austria for more than 15 years. For him, Israel’s participation does not matter: “For me, it is a problem to have in this competition any country that violates human rights, whether it is Russia which attacks Ukraine or whether it is Israel which denies the rights of the Palestinians and their rights to self-determination. Coming to Eurovision is obviously trying to cover up their faults.”

“Placing Israel among European countries that respect international laws is a bit hypocritical.”

Israel is represented this year by Noam Bettan, a Franco-Israeli, and his song, Michelle, tells the story of toxic love.