Austrian police brace for Eurovision protests in Vienna
Vienna police said they expected protests against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest to include “blockades and attempted disruptions”, describing the contest in the Austrian capital as one of the biggest security incidents they had encountered.
The competition, a celebration of pop music and high camp, is taking place in particularly tense conditions this year as broadcasters from five countries, including Spanish heavyweight RTVE and Ireland’s RTE, boycotted the war in the Gaza Strip, which Israel launched in October 2023 in retaliation for Hamas attacks on Israel.
The Iran war has since exacerbated this tension.
A handful of demonstrations against but also in favor of Israeli participation have been recorded so far for next week, with attendance estimated to be as high as 3,000.
Protests must be notified 48 hours in advance.
“We actually expect that there will be blockades and subversive actions, especially on the final day, through meetings with or without permission,” Xenia Zauner, the senior police official who will oversee the security operation, told a news conference. he said.
Demonstrations against Israeli participation have become a feature of recent editions of the contest.
The eve of the final – Friday, May 15 – is also Nakba Day, when Palestinians commemorate the loss of their land after the 1948 war at the birth of the state of Israel.
The word “Nakba” means “disaster”.
Zauner said that day had “great emotional significance for the pro-Palestinian movement.”
Police are preparing for a wide range of threats.
Police said drones will be banned in 1.5km areas, including the competition area, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation will set up a task force in New York next week with which Austrian officials can contact around the clock to counter cyber threats.
Vienna police Deputy Chief Dieter Csefan said there was no specific threat to the competition, although the overall “terror alert level” in Austria was the second highest in more than two years.
Police said event attendees must expect airport-level international security screenings and can only bring small clear bags inside.
Officials added that airport-style security will also be installed in a large fan area in front of the city hall.
