From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Serbian protest urges boycott of Eurovision over Israel’s participation
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleDozens of protesters gather outside the Serbian state RTS broadcaster to demand that the Balkan country pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s participation.
The year’s main competition with 35 competing countries is scheduled to be held May 12-16 in Vienna. Serbia will be represented by Lavina, a six-member metal band.
The protesters in central Belgrade wave Palestinian flags and hold banners accusing Israel of atrocities during the war in Gaza. They call on RTS not to broadcast the contest and for Serbians to refrain from watching it.
“A Eurovision without Israel would mean defending the ideals that this event proclaims,” a statement by the protest organizers claims.
There is no immediate reaction from RTS.
Serbia has close ties with Israel, and its foreign minister is currently visiting the Jewish state.
The Times of Israel Community.