Israel has qualified for Eurovision’s grand final on Saturday, hours after protesters tried to disrupt the country’s dress rehearsal.
Yuval Raphael, 24, was performing New Day Will Rise during a preview show on Thursday afternoon when six people with whistles and “oversized” Palestinian flags obstructed her act. Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits on size.
Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is organising the event, said the audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy, as its military intensifies its bombardment of Gaza, and enforces blockades of all food and other humanitarian supplies
Israel qualifies for Eurovision final amid protests
Getty Images Yuval Raphael performs at the Eurovision Song ContestGetty Images
Yuval Raphael told the BBC she had practiced singing to the sound of people booing to prepare for Eurovision
Israel has qualified for Eurovision’s grand final on Saturday, hours after protesters tried to disrupt the country’s dress rehearsal.
Yuval Raphael, 24, was performing New Day Will Rise during a preview show on Thursday afternoon when six people with whistles and “oversized” Palestinian flags obstructed her act. Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits on size.
Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, which is organising the event, said the audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision has been a source of controversy, as its military intensifies its bombardment of Gaza, and enforces blockades of all food and other humanitarian supplies.
Getty Images Yuval Raphael is pictured on stage while a protester in the audience holds up a large Palestinian flagGetty Images
Protesters unfurled a large Palestinian flag during dress rehearsals on Thursday
In recent weeks, broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have called for a debate on Israel’s involvement, and there have been small protests in the streets of Basel, Switzerland where this year’s contest is taking place.
The incident during Thursday’s dress rehearsal did not disrupt Raphael’s performance, and her appearance in the televised semi-final passed without further demonstrations.
Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Raphael said her team had played audience noises over her rehearsals, “so I can practice when there is distractions in the background.”
The singer clasped her hands together, then blew a kiss towards the sky when it was announced she would progress to the final.
Despite the ongoing tension, her song is currently among the favourites to win, according to bookmakers.