Police Drag Protesters From Eurovision Backstage Area During Vienna Clash

Tense scenes erupted beside the backstage access zone at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle during the first Eurovision 2026 semi-final on May 12, 2026, as pro-Palestine demonstrators confronted police near the route used by Israel’s contestant Noam Bettan to enter and leave the stage.

The video, filmed by X user Country Bumpkin, captures Austrian police officers wearing dark “POLIZEI” uniforms moving through a tightly packed crowd of protesters and spectators inside a brightly lit backstage corridor filled with haze or stage smoke.

During the scuffle, a woman wearing a purple patterned skirt and a light-colored top is seen lying on the ground while security staff and bystanders gather around her. Officers physically restrain several people and force individuals away from the restricted access area as the camera swings unsteadily through the confrontation.

Members of the crowd record the incident on their phones while others wear face coverings and headscarves.

The footage was posted with the caption: “All kicking off at Eurovision tonight with protestors right next to where the Israel entry entered and left the stage! Israel Palestine protest protestors”.

According to the post, demonstrators interrupted the performance with chants of “Stop, stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine.” Four people were removed from the arena, including one individual with “Free Palestine” written across his chest.

Noam Bettan later said he was “shocked” by the protests but stated he was overwhelmed by support from the rest of the audience and still qualified for the final.

The clip quickly spread online as one of the clearest close-range videos showing the tensions surrounding Israel’s participation during the ongoing Gaza conflict.