Vienna: An alternative concert was held in Austria's capital Vienna on Friday to protest Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
According to Anadolu Agency, the event, titled 'Song Protest - No Stage for Genocide,' took place at Maria-Theresien-Platz and drew international performers and activists. They aimed to oppose Israel's involvement in the annual contest and express support for Palestinians. The performances and speeches highlighted the humanitarian challenges faced by the Gaza Strip and included calls for solidarity with Palestinians.
The concert opened with a performance by the Palestinian diaspora choir Shatat, amid chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'Boycott Israel' from attendees. Notable performances included Palestinian musician Ahmed Eid, Austrian-Brazilian singer Celia Mara, Italian group Banda POPolare dell'Emilia Rossa, and Austrian band Leftovers. Throughout the event, numerous activists, journalists, and performers criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for allowing Israel's participation in the competition.
Organizers of the concert emphasized that culture and art should act as instruments of resistance rather than normalizing genocide. Austrian musician of Congolese origin Patrick Bongola expressed disapproval of artists sharing a stage with what he termed a 'genocidal state.' He stated, "It is our duty as artists to stand up and raise our voices."
Austrian activist Wilhelm Langthaler also voiced criticism against European governments supporting Israel and indicated that protests would persist. Palestinian activist Kanaan Shaat argued that Israel's participation in a peaceful music event should not be accepted while there is ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Eurovision Song Contest has faced backlash, with calls for its organizers to exclude Israel due to its actions in Gaza, which have resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths, more than 172,000 injuries, and significant destruction of Gaza's civilian infrastructure. In response, several countries, including Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Iceland, have withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision contest in protest of Israel's participation.