Israel Advances to Eurovision Final Amid Protests and Controversy

Amid ongoing tensions, Israel's Yuval Raphael pushes through to the Eurovision final, while protests challenge the contest's political implications.

Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has once again sparked controversy as the country qualified for the grand final on Saturday, following protests that aimed to disrupt the dress rehearsal. Yuval Raphael, 24, gave a performance of her song "New Day Will Rise" during a preview show, when six demonstrators entered the arena waving oversized Palestinian flags and using whistles to obstruct her act. Despite being allowed to carry flags under the arena’s rules, the protesters were swiftly removed from the St. Jakobshalle venue by organizers.

The current political climate in Israel, intensified by military actions and blockades in Gaza, has cast a shadow over its Eurovision involvement. Broadcasters from countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have voiced concerns regarding Israel's participation, prompting public demonstrations in Basel, Switzerland, where this year's event is being held.

Yuval Raphael remained unaffected by the protests during her performance, a testament to her preparation for distractions—she even trained with audience noise in rehearsals. Upon learning she would advance to the finals, she clasped her hands in excitement and blew a kiss skyward.

Despite the surrounding tension, Raphael's song has gained popularity among bookmakers, establishing it as a favorite to win. The ten acts that successfully qualified from Thursday’s semi-final included entries from Armenia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, in addition to Israel. Notable eliminations included Australia, which faced backlash for its performance that failed to resonate with viewers, and Ireland, which has struggled in recent years to qualify.

The second semi-final marked the debut of the UK's entry, Remember Monday, who delivered a whimsical and theatrical performance. Swedish singer KAJ and Austrian counter-tenor JJ are currently favored to win the overall contest, with JJ's operatic performance particularly stunning the audience.

As the Eurovision final approaches, traditional elements of the contest remain a highlight, including extravagant performances featuring stunning visuals and costume changes. Scheduled to take place at St. Jackobshalle in Basel, the grand final is set for Saturday evening, and will be broadcast live, fueling excitement and anticipation across Europe.