Israel 'booed' at Eurovision as show accused of 'editing' crowd
Yuval Raphael, appears to have been 'booed' during her Eurovision performance tonight, as two audience members were stopped when they attempted to storm the stage.
October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael, appears to have been 'booed' and 'jeered' during her Eurovision performance tonight, as two audience members were stopped when they attempted to storm the stage.
The politically charged contest is the first major music event Yuval Raphael has attended since the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, where she hid under dead bodies for eight hours as Hamas terrorists attacked.Â
The Hamas massacre survivor is said to have received a 'slightly mixed reception', according to commentator, Graham Norton, as video emerged online which appeared to show Raphael being booed and jeered from members of the standing audience.Â
Speculation has since arisen among viewers at home that the audio was edited, as they believe broadcasters had tampered with the sound to drown out any booing while the October 7 survivor performed New Day Will Rise at the grand final.Â
'Definitely edited the boos,' one Eurovision fan wrote on X, while another said of Graham Norton's commentary: 'All we heard at home was overwhelming applause...clearly they have edited out all the booing.'Â
The EBU has since denied any claims of booing during Israel's performance, saying: 'We heard no booing during Yuvalâs performance tonight and we have had no reports of booing either. The atmosphere stayed positive and celebratory throughout!'
In a statement to the Independent, the Swiss broadcaster SRG SRR said: 'For the Eurovision Song Contest, the host broadcaster SRG SSR is working with the "audio sweetening" method, which is common practice for major international productions.Â
According to SRG SSR, there were also two separate bids made by a man and a woman to rush onto the stage both stopped by security. A crew member had also been hit with paint during the incident, but, nobody was injured.
Eurovision viewers have speculated Israel's audio was edited by broadcasters as video has emerged online, which appears to show booing and jeering during Yuval Raphael's performance
The Hamas massacre survivor is said to have received a 'slightly mixed reception', according to commentator, Graham Norton
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators set alight an Israel and a US flag at the protests in Basel this evening
Droves of protesters flocked to BarfĂźsserplatz in the heart of the Swiss city, which is hosting this year's Eurovision contest
AÂ SRG SSR spokesman said: 'At the end of the Israeli performance a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.
'They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.'
It comes amid fury over Israel's participation in the competition as Nova Music Festival survivor, Yuval Raphael, has received a barrage of criticism, from jeers and boos in her preview to ex-winners signing letters to ban the country from Eurovision.Â
'This process helps to harmonise the sound of the transitions between moderations, video clips and the individual acts and to create a consistent soundscape for the TV audience.
'It is used exclusively for the technical rounding off of the programme,â they continued. This process is used equally and identically for all acts. The competition and its results are not affected in any way.'
Earlier today, Pro-Palestine demonstrators marched on Eurovision to demand an end to Israel's participation in the popular song contest as the country's contestant continues to weather a barrage of hate
Droves of protesters flocked to BarfĂźsserplatz in the heart of the Swiss city, which is hosting this year's Eurovision contest, as one protester is seen with blood smeared across her face and a prop, which is said to represent a body bag.
Ahead of tonight's much anticipated grand final, crowds of Palestinian supporters held signs which read 'boycott Israel apartheid' and 'no stage for genocide', as they waved flags and released flares into the sky.
It comes amid fury over Israel's participation in the competition as Nova Music Festival survivor, Yuval Raphael, qualified for the show's grand final earlier this week.Â
'Definitely edited the boos,' one Eurovision fan wrote on X, of Raphael's performance
October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael performed her song 'New Day Will Rise' amid protests about Israel's participation in Eurovision
A Palestinian flag is held up in the audience as Yuval Raphael from Israel performs the song 'New Day Will Rise'
A woman holds a prop, representing a body bag, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators attend a protest, on the day of the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel
It comes amid fury over Israel's participation in the competition as Nova Music Festival survivor, Yuval Raphael, qualified for the show's grand final earlier this week
Around 4,000 musicians, artist and music industry pros from five Nordic countries signed an open letter denouncing the Middle Eastern country's entry in the 69th Eurovision song contest in Basel.Â
Those who signed the statement, including some previous Eurovision winners, dubbed Israel's involvement in the competition as a bid to 'whitewash and divert attention' from the Israel's bombardment on Gaza.
It argued that Israel 'should not have the opportunity to polish its public image on the Eurovision stage and thus use this to cover up and continue its human rights violations.'
Elsewhere broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have called for a debate on Israel's involvement. Last week, 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the competition.
Yuval Raphael survived the Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023.Â
That fateful day saw the militant group kill 1,200 people, with over 250 taken hostage. It in turn sparked a huge Israeli military offensive on the Gaza strip, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed.Â
More than 53,000 people have been killed by Israel's bombardment of the besieged territory, with all aid blocked from entering Gaza since March.
It comes after Raphael, who is set to perform New Day WIll Rise, was on the receiving end of loud boos and jeers earlier this week as she qualified for the Eurovision's grand final.Â
On Thursday, her preview show was interrupted by six pro-Palestinian demonstrators carrying flags. Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits on size, and so the audience members were quickly ejected from the venue.Â
Following Raphael's defiant performance tonight at the St Jakobshalle arena, Graham Norton said: 'I'm not sure what you can hear at home. Slightly mixed reception here in the hall.'
A woman gestures as pro-Palestinian demonstrators attend a protest on the day of the Grand Final Eurovision
Pro-Palestinian demonstrator releases a flare on the street of the Swiss city ahead of the Eurovision this evening
A woman holding a prop representing a body bag grips it tightly to her face as armed police officers stand nearby
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators burn representations of the U.S. and Israeli flags
A red smoke flare is released into the air by a pro-Palestine marcher as they demonstrate against Israel's participation in the Eurovision final
A sign which reads 'Liberate Eurovision, United for Palestine' as protestors release flares on the streets
Later on, footage from the TV broadcast semi-final showed the Israeli entry being booed once again by some sections of the audience, with the jeers more audible on social media footage.Â
However, the October 7 survivor said her team were preparing for a hostile reception from the audience by rehearsing with background sounds.
'I think I'm expecting it [booing],' she told the BBC: 'But we are here to sing and I'm going to sing my heart out for everyone.
'Everybody has opinions. I'm really putting everything aside and just concentrating on the most important thing. The slogan this year is 'united by music' and that's what we are here for.'
Last week, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on the organisers to ban Israel from the competition.Â
They appealed to organisers to ban Israel and its national broadcaster from the contest over the country's 'genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.'
It added: 'By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is normalising and whitewashing its crimes.'
The signatories included former winners Charlie McGettigan, Salvador Sobral and Fernando Tordo.
Â
The contest is the first major music event Raphael has attended since the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, where she hid under dead bodies for eight hours as Hamas terrorists attacked
The Israeli and US flag in tatters, smoking after being set alight by protesters in Basil
A pro-Palestine marcher holds a prop symbolising a body bag smeared with blood in front of armed police
There is a heavy police presence in the area as the droves of Pro-Palestine supporters march through the Swiss city
Two women fly large Palestinian flags in front of a row of armed police officers in Basel, Switzerland
A demonstrator, with fake blood smeared on her face, holds a prop, which is said to represent a body bag in the air
Protesters dressed in keffiyehs hold peace signs into the air, as a sign which reads 'Justice for Palestine' is waved in the background
One sign read: 'Liberate your vision, united for Palestine', as several of flags were waved in the background
Despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers
On Sunday, during the Eurovision opening parade in the Swiss host city of Basel, the Israeli broadcasting delegation made a complaint to the police and the EBU after accusing a pro-Palestinian demonstrator of making a throat-slitting gesture and spitting at the delegation.
Raphael said: 'It was scary at times, even uncomfortable, but it makes me keep reminding myself why I'm here and my agenda, which is spreading as much love as I can and bringing pride to my country.'
Despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers.
Today in the Swiss capital, ESCALATE for Palestine, took to the streets to voice their frustration over Israel's participation in the popular song contest.
According to RTE, the group first gathered in BarfĂźsserplatz, where there is an area for a public Eurovision screening set up for this evening, before marching through the city.Â
A large police presence is in place at the demonstration, as chants of 'free free Palestine' echoed through the streets.Â
It was a stark contrast to a previous silent march held on Wednesday in Basel, where protesters openly voiced their views on the unfolding situation in Gaza.
Elsewhere in Dublin, thousands took to the streets in support of Palestine in a march organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), as they demanded an end to what they called a 'genocide' in Gaza.Â
The protests ahead of tonight's competition comes amid speculation Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from Eurovision hosting duties with the BBC announcement being made just two minutes after the country qualified for the final.
A man speaks via a megaphone to a sea of demonstrators in Basel this eveningÂ
It was a stark contrast to a previous silent march held on Wednesday in Basel, where protesters openly voiced their views on the unfolding situation in Gaza.
Ahead of tonight's much anticipated grand final, crowds of Palestinian supporters held signs which read 'boycott Israel apartheid' and 'no stage for genocide',
Protesters hold up peace signs as they march on the Swiss city hosting tonight's Eurovision finalÂ
A woman wearing a keffiyeh holds a sign which reads 'No music for murder' at today's protestÂ
Droves of protesters ahead of Yuval Raphael's participation in tonight's Eurovision song contest
A sea of Palestinian flags could be seen as protesters marched throughout the Swiss city today
Despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers
Yuval Raphael, who will perform New Day Will Rise, saw her preview show interrupted yesterday by six pro-Palestinian demonstrators carrying flagsÂ
Israel's participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy since its invasion of Gaza in October 2023
Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits on size, and so the audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena
The Israeli broadcasting delegation made a complaint to the police and the EBU after accusing a pro-Palestinian demonstrator of making a throat-slitting gesture
The pro-Palestinian actor, 32, had been due to announce the British jury's points for each participating country's song during the Grand Final.
But the BBC issued a statement late on Thursday evening replacing him with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor triggering speculation it was a protest at the result.
The statement read: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.
'However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2's very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting the Jury result live from the UK.'
The announcement was made moments after Israel's Yuval Raphael - a survivor of the Hamas massacre at Nova music festival during the October 7 attacks - qualified at Thursday's semi-final with her song New Day Will Rise.
It comes as speculation was rife following Ncuti Gatwa withdrawal from Eurovision hosting duties with the BBC announcement being made just two minutes after Israel qualified for tomorrow night's final.
Gatwa has previously been vocal in his support for Palestine, sharing photographs of Free Palestine graffiti in Italy on his Instagram and posting links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes.
The reason for Gatwa's last minute withdrawal from his hosting duties was not made clear, aside from the BBC's initial 'unforeseen circumstances' message, but fans speculated Israel's qualification was the cause.
One pro Palestinian social media commentator said: 'Israel qualified to the Eurovision final at 22:16 last night. Then at 22:18, just two minutes later, the BBC announced Ncuti Gatwa cancelling his appearance on Eurovision for 'unforseen circumstances'. We see you Ncuti; we see you and we like you a lot.'
Another said: 'THAT's backing up your morals. #FreePalestine.'
Ms Ellis-Bextor, 46, has since stepped in for Gatwa, telling fans: 'I love Eurovision and it's a privilege to be part of 2025's Grand Final. What an honour it is to announce the UK's jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre.Â
'I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom!'Â
The BBC said it had 'nothing more to add' on its original statement. Gatwa was approached for comment.Â
Speculation was rife after Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from Eurovision hosting duties - with the BBC announcement being made just two minutes after Israel qualifiedÂ
The BBC confirmed in an Instagram statement on Thursday: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend'
Sophie Ellis-Bextor will now replace Ncuti as the British jury's points for each participating country's song on Saturday
The Doctor Who star was previously confirmed as the UK's spokesperson for the song contest (pictured in 2024)
Despite calls for Israel to be banned from the competition, they have managed to succeed to the final and are among bookies favourites to win. Â
In previous years, other countries have been banned from the contest. Belarus was suspended in 2021 after submitting an overtly political entry and a year later Russia was barred over the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this month Irish national broadcaster RTĂ asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel's inclusion.
Director General Kevin Bakhurst, said he was 'appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages'.
Eurovision director Martin Green said organised understood 'the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East', but that members should ensure the event remains a 'universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music'.
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