Israel qualifies for Eurovision final amid ongoing protests

Israel’s involvement in this year’s competition has faced ongoing backlash amid its continued military operations in Gaza

👉 Click Here to read in detail 👈

During a preview performance on Thursday afternoon, Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael, 24, was performing New Day Will Rise when a small group of audience members interrupted the show.

According to organisers, six individuals blew whistles and waved large Palestinian flags—prompting security to remove them from the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland.

While Eurovision permits flags from all participating countries and beyond, restrictions are in place regarding their size.

The Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is overseeing this year’s contest, confirmed the incident and said the individuals were swiftly escorted out.

Israel’s involvement in this year’s competition has faced ongoing backlash amid its continued military operations in Gaza.

Yuval Raphael from Israel

AP

Critics have called for the country to be barred from the event, drawing comparisons to Russia’s suspension from Eurovision following its invasion of Ukraine. Nonetheless, the European Broadcasting Union has defended Israel’s inclusion, arguing that Eurovision is a non-political event.

Elsewhere, Malta qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland, as Ireland and Australia lost out in the 2025 competition.

Norwegian singer Emmy Kristiansen, 24, did not get Ireland through to the next stage in Basel on Thursday night with her entry Laika Party, which imagines the Soviet space dog as alive.

Those who made it to the grand final included Austria’s JJ (Johannes Pietsch), who is among the competition favourites with song Wasted Love, Armenian singer PARG, Denmark’s singer Sissal and Luxembourg’s Laura Thorn.

The last qualifiers announced were: Finland’s black leather-wearing Erika Vikman; Latvian band Tautumeitas; Malta’s high-energy diva Miriana Conte; and Greece’s singer Klavdia.

The others who did not thrill TV audiences included Australia’s Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the tongue-in-cheek Milkshake Man and Czechia’s Adonxs, whose Eurovision journeys come to an end.

Also going home were Georgian singer Mariam Shengelia, Montenegro’s Nina Zizic and Serbia’s Princ.

Ireland missed a spot at the Grand Final

Also during the semi-final, where UK audiences could vote, British group Remember Monday harmonised their song What The Hell Just Happened? with Bridgerton-inspired outfits.

They are already through to the grand final as “one of the big five”, along with France’s Louane with the soulful Mamam and German duo Abor & Tynna with dancey Baller – who also took to the stage.

On Saturday, Tuesday’s finalists: Ukraine’s Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray; Estonia’s Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato; and Sweden representative’s Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu; will also compete.

This is along with Dutch act Claude Kiambe; Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska; Icelandic electronic musician brothers VAEB; San Marino’s Gabry Ponte; Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike; Portugal’s Napa, and Norway’s Kyle Alessandro.

Go-Jo from Australia lost out also

The grand final will also see Italian singer Lucio Corsi; and Spain’s Melody from the “big five” and the reigning champion Switzerland with Basel-born Zoe Me.

The host is guaranteed a slot, and Nemo, was victorious last year.

It was announced, on Thursday night, that the UK’s Eurovision spokesperson, Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, would be replaced by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

The BBC said Gatwa was unable to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition’s grand final, due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

👉 Click Here to read in detail 👈

Miatamil

Listed here the latest Trending News