Yuval Raphael qualifies for Eurovision final amid Israel protests

On May 15, 2025, Israel's Yuval Raphael qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest's grand final, which is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland. This marked a significant moment as this year's contest is occurring against a backdrop of intense international controversy surrounding Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza. Despite many of the contestants seeking publicity, Raphael chose to maintain a low profile, engaging in fewer media interactions due to the protests surrounding the event. The current conflict, which escalated following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks, has led to widespread calls for a reconsideration of Israel's participation in Eurovision. Israeli participation in Eurovision has drawn significant backlash since the previous year's event in Sweden, where large demonstrations occurred calling for Israel's removal due to its conduct in the Gaza conflict. The conflict, escalated by Hamas attacks that resulted in substantial casualties, including Israelis and Palestinians, has led to a global discussion about the ethics of representation in cultural events such as Eurovision. This year’s protests, although smaller compared to last year's demonstrations in Malmo, have still raised concerns among participants and national broadcasters, prompting calls for discussions about Israel's involvement. Various broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have voiced support for a debate on the issue, highlighting the dissonance between Eurovision's values and the ongoing military actions that Israel has taken. The protests in Basel saw hundreds gather, emphasizing peace and human rights, expressing sentiments about Israel's actions conflicting with Eurovision's supposed commitment to unity. Despite the surrounding controversy, Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attack, aims to perform her song "New Day Will Rise" in the final. The European Broadcasting Union has maintained that Israel’s participation is politically neutral as it is represented by its public broadcaster, KAN. Still, the tension between the contest's traditional values and the harsh realities of conflict continues to loom over the event, as calls for Israel's exclusion persist from former contestants, notably in light of the protests happening concurrently at the venue.