Israel has qualified for the Eurovision grand final on Saturday, as protests attempted to overshadow the country's performance earlier in the day. Yuval Raphael, the 24-year-old singer, delivered her song "New Day Will Rise" amidst the controversy. During a preview show, six protesters brandishing whistles and oversized Palestinian flags interrupted her act at the St Jakobshalle arena. However, they were swiftly removed according to arena regulations that limit flag size.
Israel's Eurovision participation has stirred debate, particularly as its military actions in Gaza intensify. Several broadcasters, including those from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, have called for discussions regarding Israel's role in the contest, further inciting small protests in Basel, Switzerland, where the event is hosted. Despite the protests, Raphael's performance went uninterrupted, and her qualification was announced without further disturbances.
She expressed her determination by practicing with audience noise to simulate distractions. After learning of her progression to the final, she clasped her hands and blew a kiss to the sky, reflecting her joy. Bookmakers have her song as a contender for victory despite the ongoing tensions.
In addition to Israel's advancement, ten acts from the second semi-final also qualified, including Armenia, Austria, Denmark, and Finland, while notable eliminations included Australia and Ireland, who failed to qualify for the final, prolonging their struggle in the contest.
The teenage girl band from the UK, Remember Monday, showcased their performance of "What The Hell Just Happened?" during the semi-finals as they prepare for the final under the "Big Five" exemption, which guarantees their place.
Swedish group KAJ currently leads in popularity for the title with their unique "Bara Bada Bastu" sauna anthem. Other performances included Austrian opera-pop artist JJ, whose dramatic staging contrasted with the usual Eurovision spectacle of sequins and bold costumes.
The grand final is set to unfold on Saturday evening at St Jackobshalle and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2, promising an exciting conclusion to the event amid a backdrop of complex global issues.
