Israel has earned its place in the Eurovision grand final set for Saturday, even as protests aimed to disrupt the contest during its dress rehearsal. Yuval Raphael, the 24-year-old representative from Israel, performed her song "New Day Will Rise" amidst demonstrations by six individuals wielding whistles and large Palestinian flags. According to the event's rules, flags of all nations are permitted, provided they adhere to size restrictions. The Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR facilitated a prompt removal of the protesters from the St Jakobshalle venue.
Israel's participation in Eurovision has sparked intense discussion globally, particularly as military actions in Gaza escalate and humanitarian blockades persist. Recently, broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have called for debates regarding Israel's role in the competition, paralleled by small protest gatherings within Basel, Switzerland where the event is being held.
Despite the disturbances, Raphael's performance went on uninterrupted, and she expressed her relief and happiness upon qualifying for the final after her semi-final performance went ahead without further incidents. Sharing her preparation with the BBC, she mentioned practicing with crowd noise to simulate distractions.
The qualifiers from the second semi-final included Armenia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, and of course, Israel. Notably, Australia, Czechia, Georgia, Ireland, Montenegro, and Serbia were eliminated, with Australia’s exit highlighted as particularly surprising.
The Eurovision spectacle also showcased a variety of theatrical performances. Notably, the UK’s act, "Remember Monday" enthralled audiences with a vibrant presentation alongside their single "What The Hell Just Happened?". Other standout acts featured a mix of creative staging and impactful performances, drawing excitement for the impending grand final on Saturday, broadcasted live from Basel.