Eurovision Rehearsal Disrupted by Protesters
A rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final was disrupted yesterday by protesters, organisers have confirmed. The incident occurred during Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance of New Day Will Rise at the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland.
According to a spokeswoman for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is organising the event, six people with “oversized flags and whistles” obstructed the performance. The group was quickly ejected from the arena by security personnel. “During the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of the ESC this afternoon, the performance of Israeli singer Yuval Raphael was disrupted,” the spokeswoman said, as quoted by RTE. “Six people, including a family, disrupted the rehearsal with oversized flags and whistles. Security personnel were able to quickly identify those involved and escort them out of the hall.”
The Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Basel, Switzerland, after Nemo triumphed with The Code in Malmö 2024, has been surrounded by controversy. There have been pro-Palestinian protests in the host city on Sunday and Wednesday, and a demonstration against antisemitism also took place on Thursday in the city centre amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. RTE reports that Israel’s government said that Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October Hamas attacks, encountered a “hostile crowd” during the Sunday opening ceremony, and criticised the protests.
In response to the disruption, the organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have emphasised their commitment to providing a neutral, safe, inclusive, and respectful environment at the event. “We would like to thank all the artists, delegations, staff, fans and guests, including many children, who are making ESC 2025 a unique experience,” the spokeswoman for SRG SSR said, as reported by RTE. “At the same time, we would like to emphasise that the organisers are committed to a neutral, safe, inclusive and respectful environment at the ESC.”
The incident has highlighted the tensions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest, which is one of the most popular and widely-watched music events in the world. The contest has often been a platform for political statements and protests, and this year’s event is no exception. As RTE notes, Israeli broadcaster Kan and Basel police have been contacted for comment on the incident.
The Eurovision Song Contest is expected to continue with its scheduled programming, with Yuval Raphael set to perform in the semi-final. Despite the disruption, the organisers are confident that the event will proceed smoothly and provide a unique experience for all involved. As reported by RTE, the spokeswoman for SRG SSR said that the event is being closely monitored, and measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of all participants.
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