They were removed after attempts to disrupt Israel's performance, organisers have said.
Noam Bettan, a 28 year old Israeli singer was performing 'Michelle' during Tuesday nights live show, when a protester could be heard shouting "Stop, stop the genocide" and "Free, free Palestine" from the audience.
Bettan performed amidst heightened controversy as five nations boycott the song contest over Israel’s participation. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia all withdrew from the 2026 Eurovision.
Before the semi finals began, Austrian host broadcaster ORF and the EBU said: "An audience of 10,000 fans in the Wiener Stadthalle at the first semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna greeted every artist enthusiastically. ORF is broadcasting a clean audio feed live from audience microphones before and during every performer’s song. One audience member, close to a microphone, loudly expressed their views as the Israeli artist began his performance, and during the song, which was heard on the live broadcast. They were later removed by security for continuing to disturb the audience. Three other people were also removed from the arena by security for disruptive behaviour."
When asked if they would lower the crowds volume during Israel's performance executive producer Michael Kroen insisted that the "crowd volume will be the same for all the contestants."
“We will not sugarcoat anything or avoid showing what is happening, because our task is to show things as they are," Kroen said.
However, the protesters chants cannot be heard in the video of Bettan's performance which was posted to Youtube.
The Journal reported that Bettan had rehearsed the weeks leading up to the Eurovision with his team booing at him while he sang.
"I was free, I was me, I was authentic, I felt like my voice is in a good place… and I enjoyed every moment. There were moments when I felt that I’m just singing to my people back home," Bettan said after his performance.
On Tuesday, ahead of the semi-final, pro-Palestinian protesters placed coffins in central Vienna in protest at Israel’s participation. Further demonstrations have been planned for the rest of the week.
