18.05.2025 08:40
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland, was won by Austria, while the final was overshadowed by protests from Israel. As the Israeli representative Yuval Raphael performed his song, boos erupted and Palestinian flags were waved. The organizer of the contest faced criticism for broadcasting applause sounds instead of the boos.
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This year, the final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, hosted by Basel, was held with the participation of 26 countries. The Israeli representative Yuval Raphael, who took the stage in the 4th position, faced booing from the audience while performing his song, and Palestinian flags were raised. It drew attention that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of the contest, broadcast applause instead of booing sounds during the live broadcast.
2 PEOPLE TRIED TO REACH THE STAGE
Many social media users shared posts with the phrases "What really happened while Israel was singing," showing that singer Raphael was protested and Palestinian flags were raised in the competition area. In a report by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), it was stated that at the end of Israeli artist Raphael's performance, 2 people attempted to breach the barriers to reach the stage. The report noted that those protesting Israel were stopped by security personnel, and one of the activists threw paint, with 2 activists being detained.
AUSTRIA WON EUROVISION
On the final night of the Eurovision Song Contest, Norway, Luxembourg, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Austria, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Greece, Armenia, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, France, San Marino, and Albania took the stage. As a result of jury and audience votes, Austria's representative JJ won with 436 points for the song "Wasted Love." Israel came in second with 357 points, while Estonia placed third with 356 points.
SUPPORT FOR GAZA FROM SPAIN
Spanish state television RTVE also published a message in Spanish and English stating, "When it comes to human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine."
PROTEST FOR GAZA SUPPORT BEFORE THE FINAL
In Basel, which hosted this year's Eurovision Song Contest, there were protests against Israel's participation in the contest and the genocide it carried out in Gaza before the grand final. Thousands gathered in Barfüsserplatz Square in the city to express their reaction to Israel's participation in the contest, demanding that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of the contest, not allow Israel to participate again. The protesters called for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel not being expelled.
ORGANIZER UNDER FIRE FOR CRITICISM
The EBU, the organizer of the contest, has faced criticism for "hypocrisy" and "double standards" for not taking a similar decision against Israel, despite banning Russia from the contest since 2022 due to the war that started in Ukraine.
ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS MADE HEADLINES
The first and second semifinals of the Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel on May 13 and May 15 were marked by anti-Israel demonstrations. The official opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest, held in front of the Basel City Hall on May 11, was overshadowed by anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian protests. Among the thousands gathered in front of the city hall for the ceremony were many pro-Palestinian activists.
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