Israel Advances to Eurovision Grand Final Amid Protests

Israel secured a spot in the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday, despite attempts by anti-Israeli protesters in Basel, Switzerland, to disrupt the country’s rehearsals and support for survivors of the October 7 attack.

During a preview show on Thursday, Yuval Rafael, 24, performed her song “New Day Rises.” Unfortunately, the arena has regulations regarding flags, allowing them but with size restrictions. The protests reflected ongoing tensions related to Israel, echoing issues from earlier events.

Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR mentioned that attendees were expelled from St. Jacob’s Arena due to the disruptions caused by the protests.

Rafael shared her experience with the BBC earlier this week, noting that her team incorporated audience sounds into their rehearsals. When it was announced that she would progress to the finals, she joyfully clasped her hands and blew a kiss skyward.

Interestingly, a bookmaker cited by the BBC has indicated that despite the ongoing conflicts, Rafael’s song is now considered a strong candidate to win the contest.

The rehearsal problems came after cameras caught anti-Israel demonstrators during the “Turquoise Carpet” event, which kicks off Eurovision. This year, the contest is hosted by the winners from the previous edition, which adds to the pressure and emotions involved.

It’s notable that Israel, having been impacted by the attacks on October 7th, faced backlash from radical leftist and pro-Hamas protesters, alongside numerous artists who attempted to influence the European Broadcasting Union’s decisions regarding Israel’s participation.

Rafael, a survivor of the Hamas attacks at the Nova Music Festival, performed “New Day Rises,” a song that conveys messages of resilience, shared struggles, and hope for a better future.

The grand final is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th, at St. Jacob’s Arena in Basel.