Overview

• The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 officially began on May 11 in Basel, Switzerland, with the longest Turquoise Carpet parade in its history, spanning 1.3 kilometers.
• Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the opening ceremony, displaying flags and banners, with one demonstrator detained by police for aggressive actions.
• Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant and a survivor of the 2023 Hamas attack, faced death threats, spitting, and insults, prompting the Israeli delegation to file a police complaint.
• Former Eurovision winner Nemo criticized Israel's participation, arguing it conflicts with the contest's values of peace, unity, and human rights.
• The contest continues with two semifinals on May 13 and 15, culminating in the grand final on May 17, with 37 countries vying for the title.