PRO-Palestinian demonstrators were seen burning down Israeli flags to protest against a Eurovision performer who survived the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks.
Dozens of Palestinian supporters reached Basel – the host city of this year’s Eurovision contest – to protest against Israel’s participation in the competition.
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Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks, is set to perform in the finale tonight.
The 24-year-old managed to survive the massacre at the Nova music festival by hiding under piles of bodies and pretending to be dead.
She is set to represent Israel with the song New Day Will Rise in the competition.
But the celebration of music and unity was ruffled by discord over Israel’s participation.
Hordes of protesters were seen filling up the Eurovision square holding signs which read “boycott Israel apartheid” and “no stage for genocide”.
Israel’s inclusion in the song contest has been the subject of deep controversy following the country’s intense bombardment of Gaza and its blockade of food and humanitarian supplies.
Raphael is considered one of the favourites to win the contest, according to bookmakers, despite the protests and controversies.
Protesters with Palestinian flags also tried to disrupt the Israeli contestant’s dress rehearsal on Thursday.
With protests expected to mount as the Eurovision final in Switzerland is underway, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has put out an advisory to the country’s citizens travelling for the event.
“International events of this type are a prime target for threats and attacks by various terrorist groups,” the council warned.
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The NSC, along with Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry, its expected to expand its presence and monitoring activities during the finale.
A situation room is being operated with two deputies on-site over the weekend to maintain constant communication with Israeli citizens.
Citizens travelling are also required to install the IDF Home Front Command’s emergency alert app to stay alert to any security threats.
Gilad Kariv, chair of Israel’s Knesset Committee on Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, said: “Every Israeli currently in Switzerland should make sure the Home Front Command app is installed.
“Anti-Israeli activity poses a risk to Israeli supporters and fans in Basel.
“We requested that the Foreign Ministry’s situation room be fully staffed, with social media monitoring and real-time tracking of planned protests.”
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