This year’s Eurovision Song Contest, held in Basel, Switzerland, has become much more than just a music competition.
The event has turned into a heated arena for political expression and protest, especially surrounding Israel’s participation.
At the center of the storm is Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant and a survivor of the horrific Hamas attack at the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023.
A Survivor’s Difficult Return to the Spotlight
Yuval Raphael’s performance at Eurovision marks her first major public appearance since that terrifying day when she hid under bodies for eight hours during the Hamas massacre.
While her song, New Day Will Rise, carries a message of hope, her presence on stage has sparked intense reactions.
Viewers and commentators noticed that some audience members booed and jeered during her performance, a scene that quickly spread on social media.
According to Eurovision commentator Graham Norton, Raphael received a “slightly mixed reception” from parts of the standing crowd.
Her team had even prepared for the possibility of hostile responses by rehearsing with background noise to simulate boos.
Despite this, Raphael remained focused. She told the BBC, “I think I’m expecting it, but we are here to sing, and I’m going to sing my heart out for everyone.”
She emphasized that the contest’s motto, “united by music,” is what really matters.
Pro-Palestinian Protests Rally Against Israel’s Presence
Meanwhile, protests have been a constant backdrop during the contest.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Barfüsserplatz, Basel’s city center, carrying signs reading “boycott Israel apartheid” and “no stage for genocide.”
Some protesters even used dramatic visuals, including one with a blood-smeared face holding a prop resembling a body bag, to highlight their message.
The demonstrators marched through the city streets, chanting “free free Palestine” while flares lit up the sky.
The atmosphere was heavily policed to maintain order amid the vocal demonstrations.
Similar protests took place in Dublin, where thousands rallied in support of Palestine, demanding an end to what they called a “genocide” in Gaza.
Calls to Ban Israel Spark Heated Debate in Eurovision Circles
The controversy over Israel’s participation isn’t new.
Earlier this week, over 4,000 musicians and industry professionals from Nordic countries signed an open letter condemning Israel’s inclusion, accusing it of attempting to “whitewash” its military actions in Gaza through Eurovision’s global platform.
The letter, signed by former Eurovision winners, urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel and its national broadcaster from the contest.
The pressure is growing, with broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia calling for open discussions about Israel’s involvement.
Last week, 70 former Eurovision contestants also signed a letter demanding Israel’s exclusion, denouncing the country’s “genocide against Palestinians” and its “regime of apartheid and military occupation.”
Tensions Escalate at Eurovision Events and Broadcasts
Tensions spilled over at the Eurovision opening parade in Basel when the Israeli delegation filed complaints against a pro-Palestinian protester for allegedly making a threatening gesture and spitting at them.
Additionally, during the semi-final broadcast, Yuval Raphael was booed once again by some sections of the audience, with the jeers becoming especially loud on social media.
On Thursday, her preview performance was interrupted by six pro-Palestinian demonstrators waving flags.
While flags are generally allowed under arena rules, the protesters were quickly removed due to size restrictions.
A Surprising Withdrawal Raises Eyebrows
Adding to the controversy, Doctor Who star and UK Eurovision spokesperson Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from his hosting duties just minutes after Israel qualified for the grand final.
Although the BBC cited “unforeseen circumstances,” many fans speculated that his decision was a protest against Israel’s progression in the competition.
Gatwa has been openly supportive of Palestine in the past, sharing solidarity posts and fundraisers on social media.
He was replaced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who expressed excitement about announcing the UK jury’s points during the final.
Eurovision Organizers Caught Between Music and Politics
The European Broadcasting Union and Eurovision organizers have expressed understanding of the deeply held views surrounding the Middle East conflict, but they stress the importance of keeping Eurovision a universal event focused on music, diversity, and inclusion.
Despite the protests and calls for Israel’s exclusion, Yuval Raphael remains one of the favorites to win this year’s contest.
The political storm surrounding her performance underscores how Eurovision, far from being just a song competition, has become a stage where global issues play out loudly and passionately.