Trending Now - Vienna Cafe Welcomes Israel Supporters Amid Eurovision Tensions
WHO:
ABC News - Daniel Kapp, a PR consultant and pro-Israel campaigner.
ABC News - Noam Bettan, an Israeli singer competing in Eurovision.
ABC News - Ivo Herzl, an Austrian Eurovision fan.
ABC News - Birgitta Peterson and Kristina Nilsson, fans known as The Swedish Ladies.
The Hollywood Reporter - The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization running Eurovision.
WHAT:
ABC News - Pro-Palestinian activists are planning a protest concert and an anti-Israel march before the grand final of Eurovision.
The Hollywood Reporter - Four people were removed from the audience of 10,000 for disruptive behavior during the first Eurovision semifinal.
The Hollywood Reporter - Sources indicate that an additional half-dozen countries were poised to pull out of Eurovision due to Israel's inclusion but were convinced to remain.
ABC News - Vienna's MQ Kantine café offers falafel, bagels with lox, and kosher wine to support Israel during Eurovision.
ABC News - Five countries (Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain) boycotted the 2026 Eurovision contest due to Israel's participation.
ABC News - More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.
The Hollywood Reporter - This year’s Eurovision participation is the lowest since 2004, with 35 countries participating.
The Hollywood Reporter - Corporate sponsors pulled out, resulting in significant double-digit revenue drops from 2025.
WHERE:
ABC News - Vienna, Austria, specifically at MQ Kantine and Wiener Stadthalle arena.
The Hollywood Reporter - Eurovision is being held in Vienna.
WHEN:
ABC News - The grand final of Eurovision is scheduled for Saturday.
The Hollywood Reporter - The 2024 Eurovision contest will take place in Malmo, Sweden.
The Hollywood Reporter - The 2026 Eurovision contest is currently ongoing.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - The decision not to hold a vote on banning Israel in late 2025 after a ceasefire in Gaza led to boycotts from five countries.
ABC News - Tensions over Israel’s participation in Eurovision have led to boycotts and protests due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Hollywood Reporter - The decision not to hold a vote on banning Israel after a ceasefire in Gaza led to boycotts from several countries.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - The EBU sent a desist letter to Israeli broadcaster Kan to stop a campaign encouraging multiple votes from the Israeli diaspora.
ABC News - Security measures include a police officer outside MQ Kantine and armed police presence on the streets of Vienna.
The Hollywood Reporter - The EBU sent a desist letter to Israeli broadcaster Kan to stop a campaign encouraging multiple votes from the Israeli diaspora.
(UPDATED May 14, 2026 17:35 UTC)
Pro-Palestinian activists are organizing a protest concert and an anti-Israel march ahead of the grand final of Eurovision. During the first semifinal, four individuals were removed from the audience of 10,000 for disruptive behavior, while sources reveal that several countries considered withdrawing from the event due to Israel's participation but ultimately decided to stay. Additionally, the European Broadcasting Union has issued a desist letter to Israeli broadcaster Kan, instructing them to halt a campaign that encourages multiple votes from the Israeli diaspora.
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(UPDATED May 14, 2026 07:52 UTC)
The ongoing Eurovision contest in Vienna has seen significant controversy, with five countries boycotting the event due to Israel's participation amid escalating tensions in Gaza. In a show of support for Israel, the MQ Kantine café is offering a menu featuring falafel, bagels with lox, and kosher wine, while security measures have been heightened across the city. This year's Eurovision participation is the lowest since 2004, with only 35 countries taking part, as corporate sponsors have withdrawn, leading to notable revenue declines.