Culture

Israel Makes Eurovision Final

MAY 16 2025·Updated MAY 17 2025

Story

Above: During the rehearsal for the Semi-Final Round 2 of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at Messe Basel on May 15, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, sings while protesters wave the Palestinian flag (L). Image credit: Harold Cunningham/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

The Facts

Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael, 24, qualified for Eurovision's grand final, in Basel, Switzerland, after her performance of "New Day Will Rise" was initially disrupted by protesters during Thursday's dress rehearsal at the St Jakobshalle arena.
BBC News
The Standard
Six demonstrators were ejected from the venue after blowing whistles and waving oversized Palestinian flags during the rehearsal, violating Eurovision's regulations on flag dimensions while maintaining their policy allowing all national flags.
The New Arab
The Standard
The televised semi-final performance proceeded without major disruptions, though some booing was reportedly heard from sections of the audience, with Raphael advancing to Saturday's final alongside nine other qualifying countries.
Ynet
Daily Mail
Raphael, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival, had prepared for potential protests by practicing with background distractions during rehearsals, telling BBC she would "sing her heart out for everyone."
GB News
France 24
BBC News
More than 70 former Eurovision contestants, including last year's winner Nemo, signed an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the contest, while broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia requested debates about Israel's participation.
RTE.ie
RFI

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Israel's participation upholds Eurovision's founding principles of cultural unity and artistic expression above political divisions. The contest provides a platform for music to bridge differences, and excluding any nation based on political circumstances would contradict its mission of fostering international understanding through cultural exchange.

www.israelhayom.com

Ynet

Narrative B

The continued inclusion of Israel in Eurovision while it conducts military operations in Gaza represents a concerning double standard, particularly given Russia's previous exclusion over its invasion of Ukraine. The contest's claim of political neutrality appears selective and fails to address the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinian civilians.

The New Arab