Thousands Protest Israel Participation in Eurovision Basel

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, has been marked by significant protests against Israel's participation amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Around 200 protesters held a silent march carrying Palestinian flags and banners condemning Israel's actions and calling for its exclusion from the contest, with some police intervention preventing access to fan zones. Pro-Palestinian groups emphasized human rights concerns and criticized the lack of sanctions against Israel, while Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack, faced both applause and hostility during the event. Several broadcasters and former Eurovision participants have called for discussions or a ban on Israel's involvement, reflecting the controversy that also affected last year's contest in Malmö. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has maintained a non-political stance, although changes this year allowed Palestinian flags to be openly displayed during the broadcast. Meanwhile, Swiss winner Nemo publicly supported excluding Israel from Eurovision, citing contradictions between Israel's actions and the contest's values of peace and unity.