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Vienna

Israel's Noam Bettan and his backup dancers performing 'Michelle' during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
Inside story
Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna
By Amy Spiro
With the focus once again on Israel, singers from 35 nations will compete for the top prize in the colorful contest, amid heavy security, expected protests and backstage tension
Screen captures from video of Gaza flotilla supporters at Vienna Airport, May 24, 2026. (Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 25, 2026, 8:41 pm
One arrested as Gaza flotilla activists face rowdy welcome on return to Austria
Video shows man pinned to ground as he chants ‘Free Palestine’; others march through Vienna airport chanting ‘From the river to the sea’; police say they used ‘proportionate force’
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song 'Michelle' during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 16, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 17, 2026, 3:13 am
Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second at Eurovision as Bulgaria takes the win
‘Michelle’ propels Israel to third in the popular vote and its 2nd year in a row as the runner-up, as singer says he ‘tried to stay focused, I sang with joy, with a smile on my face’
By Amy Spiro
Noam Bettan from Israel arrives on stage ahead of the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
May 16, 2026, 1:34 pm
Israel’s Noam Bettan prepares to take the stage at partly boycotted Eurovision final
Israeli delegation said to believe ‘Michelle’ could win the public vote; Finnish violinist-singer duo and acclaimed Australian star are favorites to take the contest
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Israeli flags hang in the designated Israel "Euro Cafe" MQ Kantine during the 70th Eurovision Song Contest week in Vienna, Austria, May 13, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 14, 2026, 1:48 pm
A Vienna cafe offers refuge for Israel supporters as tensions brew at Eurovision
After Jewish state left out of ‘Eurofan Cafe’ list, MQ Kantine steps in and opens its doors to Israeli fans, offering falafel, kosher wine and security for those feeling shunned
By AP and ToI Staff
Israel's Noam Bettan celebrates qualifying for the grand final, during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. (AP/Martin Meissner)
May 13, 2026, 1:04 am
Despite anti-Israel chants in arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan advances to Eurovision final
Singer says boos were quickly drowned out by support and that he felt he was ‘just singing to Israel’; 4 activists removed from event hall by security after interruptions
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan and his backup dancers performing 'Michelle' during a rehearsal for the Eurovision on May 6, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Alma Bengtsson/EBU)
May 11, 2026, 5:03 pm
Boycotts, beats and bling: Eurovision’s 70th edition kicks off in Vienna
With the focus once again on Israel, singers from 35 nations will compete for the top prize in the colorful contest, amid heavy security, expected protests and backstage tension
By Amy Spiro
Israel's Noam Bettan performs during his first rehearsal on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, Austria, May 3, 2026. (Corinne Cumming/EBU)
May 5, 2026, 9:08 pm
Vienna police bracing for protests and ‘disruption attempts’ at Eurovision next week
Song contest, where anti-Israel demonstrations have been a regular feature, begins May 12 in Vienna; police to ban drones, work with FBI and institute airport-style security
By Reuters and Amy Spiro
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on August 7, 2023. (AP/Chris Pizzello, File)
April 29, 2026, 8:28 pm
Man pleads guilty to plotting jihadist attack on 2024 Taylor Swift concert in Vienna
Accused, identified as Beran A., 21, says he wanted ‘to wage jihad’ in alleged ISIS-inspired bomb plot; 2 others, named as Arda K., Hassan E., also facing charges
By Julia ZAPPEI
Refugees from Hungary gather in the HIAS Vienna office, some expressing a desire to immigrate to the United States, and others to Australia, where they have relatives. (HIAS via JTA)
February 4, 2026, 6:46 am
HIAS closes Vienna office that aided generations of refugees after Trump yanks funding
Head of immigrant aid group decries move for ‘leaving thousands of families in danger,’ says it will fight to ensure US remains ‘a beacon for those fleeing religious oppression’
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Shany Dror with her dog Mitos. (Courtesy)
January 17, 2026, 9:13 am
Israeli researcher finds that by eavesdropping, ‘genius’ dogs learn words like toddlers
In Shany Dror’s study, super-smart canines had 90% accuracy in fetching toys whose names they learned directly or overheard; findings shed light on how language learning may have evolved
By Diana Bletter
Moderator Austrian singer Cesar Sampson holds a draw for Israel during the draw session for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on stage at the Vienna's city hall in Vienna, Austria, on January 12, 2026. (Joe Klamar / AFP)
January 13, 2026, 12:28 am
Draw sets Israel’s opponents for Eurovision semifinal slated for May 12 in Vienna
Past winners Greece, Portugal, Serbia and Sweden to face off against Jewish state in song contest overshadowed by anti-Israel boycotts and protests
By AFP and ToI Staff
A view of Vienna, Austria, on August 15, 2019. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
November 13, 2025, 5:15 pm
Mossad arranged Austrian asylum for Syrian double agent accused of torture – report
Khaled al-Halabi, charged over suppressing protests in Raqqa, lived in Vienna in apartment paid for by Israeli spy agency that got him into country, NY Times says
By ToI Staff
Israeli fans cheer for Yuval Raphael as she performs 'New Day Will Rise' during the second semifinal of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 15, 2025. (AP/Martin Meissner)
September 25, 2025, 10:39 pm
European Broadcasting Union to vote in November on barring Israel from Eurovision
EBU tells ToI that General Assembly vote will be held as simple majority, while Israel’s public broadcaster notes decisions like this must be approved by 75% of members
By Amy Spiro
Security guards remove barriers in front of the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, on August 8, 2024, after the three concerts of US mega-star Taylor Swift were canceled following the arrest of an Islamic State sympathizer in connection with an terror plot. (Alex Halada/AFP)
August 26, 2025, 7:38 pm
German court convicts Syrian teen for plotting attack on Taylor Swift gigs in Vienna
Judges give 16-year-old 18-month suspended sentence, say he supported Islamic State, sent bomb-building instructions to man in Austria planning to carry out attack
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Illustrative: A man holds a smartphone showing the app for ride-sharing service Uber in London, on March 17, 2021. (Tolga Akmen / AFP)
August 19, 2025, 12:28 pm
Jewish family assaulted and called ‘child killers’ by Vienna Uber driver
Driver said to have been immediately suspended; community leader demands ‘decisive action,’ warning that otherwise ‘soon there will be no place left for Jews in Europe’
By ToI Staff
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