Israel Eurovision singer jeered at amid ban calls - but they sail through to grand final

Eurovision 2025 is well underway with the grand final taking place this weekend. Nations from across Europe have descended on the host city of Basel in Switzerland

However,has been plagued by controversy over Israel's participation in the event. Just last week, demanding the contest chiefs to exclude amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Protests have also taken place in the host city following Israel’s war in Gaza has been named a genocide by . According to , over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with more than a third being under 18.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military say 407 of its soldiers have been killed, as reported by . Former Eurovision acts have urged Israel to not be allowed to compete over the country’s “genocide against the in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people.”

The letter, published on , was signed by former winners Ireland’s Charlie McGettigan and Portugal’s Fernando Tordo, as well as British singer and French singer La Zarra. It was also signed by two of last year’s competitors Ásdís María and GÅTE.

performed on Thursday's semi-final and qualified for the grand final on Saturday. During her performance, six protestors carried Palestinian flags.

The arena allows flags yet there are limits on size, meaning those showing support for Palestine were ejected due to the size of their flags. TV footage picked up boos from the crowd when the Israel entry appeared on screen.

The noise was more audible on social media footage of the performance. Despite the protests and calls for Israel to not be allowed in the final, Yuval secured her spot following the public vote.

Eurovision bans have happened before as Belarus was suspended in 2021 for a politically charged song, followed by Russia's exclusion in 2022 amidst the conflict. has not been allowed to return to the competition since.

Show bosses acknowledged the outcry over the Middle East crisis but remained adamant about keeping the competition as a "universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music".

The Eurovision Song Contest claims that it is a “non-political event” however the letter from past contestants highlighted discrepancy. It read: “The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.”

In a statement to , the EBU said it “understands the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.”

They added: "The EBU is not immune to global events but, together, with our Members, it is our role to ensure the Contest remains — at its heart — a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music.

"We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and celebratory and aspire to show the as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.”

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