On Saturday, Israel secured its spot in Eurovision's grand final, mere hours after a group of protesters attempted to disrupt the nation's dress rehearsal. The 24-year-old Yuval Raphael was in the midst of her soulful rendition of "New Day Will Rise" during a Thursday afternoon preview show, when six individuals armed with whistles and oversized Palestinian flags abruptly interrupted her performance. According to arena regulations, while flags are permissible, there are strict limitations on their size.
The Swiss broadcaster, SRG SSR, which is overseeing the grand event, swiftly evicted the disruptive spectators from St Jakobshalle arena. Israel's participation in Eurovision has sparked heated debates, coinciding with the intensification of its military bombardments in Gaza and the enforcement of blockades that restrict the flow of food and other essential humanitarian supplies.
In recent weeks, broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have advocated for discussions regarding Israel's involvement, while small protests have erupted in the streets of Basel, Switzerland, where this year's contest is being held.
Despite the protest during Thursday's dress rehearsal, Raphael's performance remained uninterrupted, and her semi-final appearance on television passed without any further demonstrations. Earlier this week, in an interview with the BBC, Raphael revealed that her team had incorporated audience noises into her rehearsals, stating, "This helps me practice when there are distractions in the background." The singer, with hands clasped together, blew a kiss towards the sky upon learning of her advancement to the final.
Despite the ongoing tensions, her song has emerged as one of the top contenders for the win, according to oddsmakers.
