Man tried to storm Eurovision 2025 stage during Israel's performance
A British man was arrested during the Eurovision Song Contest final after pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards Israeli singer Yuval Raphael on stage
Yuval Raphael representing Israel performs on stage during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest
(Image: Getty Images )
Tensions flared during the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday night when pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the stage as Israeli singer Yuval Raphael performed. A man from Manchester was arrested in connection with the disruption, which left the performer visibly shaken, according to her team.
The dramatic moment unfolded in Basel, Switzerland, as Yuval—an October 7 attack survivor—sang her entry New Day Will Rise to a chorus of both cheers and boos. "A mixed response," observed BBC commentator Graham Norton, in the Basel, Switzerland arena.
Israel secured second place with 357 points, with the UK giving the nation its full 12 points in the public vote.
Youth Demand, an organisation advocating for a trade embargo on Israel, stated that its supporters David Curry, 22, from Manchester, and Meaghan Leon, 27, from London, had been arrested, reports Manchester Evening News.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Israeli broadcaster Kan said the protesters "were blocked by security officials, but Raphael was shaken and upset". "The delegation was needed to move location for 15 minutes," he added.
"At the same time, a big anti-Israel protest takes place in the centre of Basel. Israeli national security council issued a warning to Israeli civilians in the city to keep a low profile."
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A spokesperson for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR reported: "At the end of the Israeli performance a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier on to the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police."
Swiss police have confirmed that the pair were handed over to them and have since been released. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
A Basel police spokesperson said: "The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges."
Earlier, pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place near a free concert in central Basel to protest against Israel's participation, with a small contingent also showing support for Israel with flags.
Subsequently, the group calling for Israel's exclusion from Eurovision moved through Basel, encountering a strong police response and the use of tear gas.
This incident follows a disruption during Raphael's rehearsal for Thursday's second semi-final, where six individuals with "oversized flags and whistles" interfered with her performance. SRG SSR, hosting the event in Basel after Nemo's victory for Switzerland with The Code in Malmo 2024, stated that the disruptors were promptly removed from the St Jakobshalle arena.
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Austria clinched the victory at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with JJ's track 'Wasted Love', leaving Israel in second place.
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