In brief
Israel successfully qualified for the Eurovision grand final, encountering protests during dress rehearsals, reflecting the ongoing tensions surrounding its military actions.
Israel's path to Eurovision's final saw singer Yuval Raphael overcoming interruptions by demonstrators waving Palestinian flags during her performance of "New Day Will Rise." The protesters, who were quickly removed from the arena, aimed to highlight the criticism surrounding Israel's military activities in Gaza. Raphael, 24, mentioned that she had prepared for such distractions by practicing with audience noise in the background. Despite the controversies, Israel's act went smoothly during the televised semi-final, with Raphael celebrating her qualification by blowing a kiss skyward. The ongoing debates about Israel's involvement in Eurovision have led to protests in Switzerland, where the contest is held, with several broadcasters expressing concerns. Predictions from bookmakers suggest that "New Day Will Rise" is shaping up to be a contender for the top spot.In the second semi-final, ten acts secured their place for the final, with notable performances from diverse entries, including Austrian counter-tenor JJ and Finnish singer Erika Vikman, who delivered standout acts. Despite some shocking eliminations, such as Australia and Ireland, the excitement continues to build for this year's final, scheduled to take place in Basel’s St Jakobshalle. This will be one to watch!
