Overview

• Yuval Raphael, representing Israel, performed in the Eurovision semifinal in Basel, advancing to the May 17 grand final.
• Her performance was met with a mixed audience reaction, including boos, whistles, and applause.
• Six pro-Palestinian protesters were removed from the venue for displaying oversized flags and using whistles, violating contest regulations.
• A silent march of around 200 people in central Basel protested Israel's participation, calling for its expulsion from Eurovision.
• Raphael’s survival story from the October 7 Hamas massacre has drawn both support and controversy, highlighting the intersection of art and geopolitics at Eurovision.