Political figures in Austria oppose hosting Eurovision in their country over fears of antisemitism and security risks stemming from Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026.
Markus Abwerzger, chairman of the right-wing party in Tyrol (FPÖ), is actively opposing Austria’s hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest next year. In an interview with the Austrian Press Agency (APA), Abwerzger called for Austria to forgo hosting. He claims that events like Eurovision pose a real threat by increasing an “anti-Israeli atmosphere,” “antisemitism,” and “extreme left-wing trends” — all of which could lead to serious security problems in Austria.
Abwerzger stated, “I am very concerned about security, especially at the venue.” He added that the federal government, led by Chancellor Christian Stocker and Vice Chancellor and Minister of Culture Andreas Babler, should support his demand, noting that “there is still time for that.” Furthermore, he highlighted that there is already a growing number of worrying protests and recalled that during the last pride parade in Tyrol’s capital city, “communists waved Hamas flags.” According to Abwerzger, it is clear that “certain left-wing circles, which are also connected to Eurovision, suffer from a problem of antisemitism.”
He further mentioned that the last two Eurovisions have featured a “strong anti-Israeli atmosphere,” adding, “there were even calls to remove Israeli singers from the competition, which is completely insane.” He emphasized the hostility towards Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative in Basel, whom he described as “very severe.”
Serving as chairman of the right-wing party in Tyrol, where Innsbruck — the candidate city to host the contest — is the capital, Abwerzger expressed concern about damage to Tyrol’s reputation and the strengthening of a negative image abroad, particularly regarding tourism and the economy if Innsbruck is chosen over Vienna. “I want the images coming out of Tyrol to be like the Kitzbühel ski race, not Hamas protests in the center of Innsbruck.”
Abwerzger focuses primarily on security and calls for the preparation of a comprehensive security plan that would also involve national security services. He refused to comment on budgetary issues related to the contest. In addition, Abwerzger claims that Vice Chancellor and Minister of Culture Babler sends “destructive messages” by inviting activists with “dangerous sympathies for Gaza and Hamas,” such as those who appeared at the Salzburg Festival opening.
Who Will Host Eurovision 2026?
The race to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Austria has entered its final stage. Only two cities – Vienna and Innsbruck – remain in the competition for the right to host this major event in the European music world. The Austrian national broadcaster ORF is expected to announce by the end of August which city will win the coveted title. This decision is one of the most intriguing of the year within the preparations for the upcoming competition scheduled for May in Austria.
According to ORF’s statement, the final decision will be made in the second half of August, when both the host city and the exact date of the final – either May 16 or 23, 2026 – will be revealed. “With Vienna and Innsbruck, we have two strong candidates capable of delivering the biggest event in the world of television entertainment,” said ORF’s CEO, Roland Weißmann, in a press release. Eurovision producer Michael Krön also emphasized the creativity and dedication shown by the project teams from both cities.Eurovision 2026: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Austria, following the country’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. This will be the third time the contest is hosted in Austria, after 1967 and 2015.
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Avi Zaikaner is an editor-in-chief, content creator, commentator, and international expert on all things related to the Eurovision Song Contest. Avi has followed the contest for nearly 30 years, and for the past seven years has served as the founder and editor-in-chief of EuroMix, one of the top Eurovision websites in the world, with over 1.5 million users annually.
Since 2021, Avi has provided on-the-ground coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest from the press center in the host city, bringing readers exclusive firsthand experiences, professional analysis, and direct reactions from audiences, artists, and experts. His extensive experience and deep familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date information.
Avi is recognized as a leading Eurovision opinion maker in Israel, frequently interviewed by major media outlets, collaborating with international experts, and publishing professional content on additional platforms. Every article is written with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and understanding the audience, with a strong emphasis on fact-checking and presenting a diverse range of opinions.
