Israel has successfully advanced to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place this Saturday, despite protests that sought to disrupt the event. The Israeli representative, 24-year-old Yuval Raphael, performed her entry "New Day Will Rise" during a dress rehearsal on Thursday when six demonstrators infiltrated the venue, wielding whistles and large Palestinian flags. While the arena's regulations permit flags, they impose size restrictions which the protesters violated. Quick action from the event's organizers led to their immediate removal from St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland.
Israel's involvement in the Eurovision competition has sparked considerable debate, particularly as the ongoing military conflict in Gaza has escalated, leading to widespread calls for discussions regarding the country's representation. Protests have been mounting in various locations, including Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, raising their voices against Israel's participation as tensions remain high.
Despite the disruptions, Raphael's performance continued without interruption, and she was able to express her joy upon qualifying for the final by clasping her hands together and blowing a kiss to the sky in response to the announcement. Her song currently ranks among the favorites to win, according to various bookmakers.
Among the ten acts that qualified in Thursday's semi-final were entries from Armenia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta, while notable eliminations included Australia and Ireland, which failed to qualify despite past successes. Australia's absence is particularly surprising considering the initial positive reception of their song prior to the competition.
The final will be held on Saturday at 20:00 BST/21:00 Swiss time, and it will be broadcast live on BBC One, with commentary provided on the BBC News website. The event promises a variety of performances, from whimsical acts to empowering anthems, embodying the traditional spirit of Eurovision.
