Israel booed as five countries are eliminated in Eurovision semi-final

Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia all boycotting the event in protest over Israel’s inclusion in the contest amid its actions in Gaza

Israel’s Noam Bettan performing in the first Eurovision semi-final (Alma Bengtson/EBU/PA)

Israel’s Eurovision entry Noam Bettan was booed by the crowd during his performance as five countries were eliminated from the Eurovision Song Contest during its first semi-final.

The 28-year-old made it through to Saturday’s final after receiving a mixed reception from the crowd before his performance began at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, with some members of the audience shouting, and later booing during the quiet moments of his song Michelle.