ESC 2025 in Basel: Jubilee and protests around Yuval Raphael appearance!

ESC 2025 in Basel: Jubilee and protests around Yuval Raphael appearance!

Basel, Schweiz - On May 18, 2025, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) took place in Basel, neutral and liberal Switzerland. The preparations went smoothly and were called "Swiss Finish". The competition brought together an exciting field of participants, with some contributions classified as "trash". The moderation took over Sandra Studer and Hazel Brugger.

Special attention attracted the appearance of Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel. His appearance, although accompanied by boos and whistles, ended with applause. Both Israel and Palestine flags were seen in the audience, which clarified the controversial political tensions during the event. In the run-up to the ESC there was massive protest against Raphael's participation due to the current conflicts in the Gaza strip.

protests and political tensions

In Basel, several hundred people gathered to demonstrate against Israel's participation. The police estimated the number of protesters on around 500. Demonstrators presented banners with slogans such as "Freedom for your vision - united for Palestine" and "do not give a stage to the genocide". Water cannons were used to keep the protests under control and some participants lit torches with colorful smoke.

yuval Raphael, even the survivor of a terrorist attack by Hamas, was already the goal of hostility in the past. This led to intensive discussions about the reasons for his participation, especially in view of the ongoing conflict. Critics of Israeli participation argued that the ESC should not be the platform for political statements, whereas supporters saw the competition as a way to promote peace and cooperation among the nations.

competitive results and rankings

Despite the protests, Israel was able to reach the most public points and was temporarily in first place. Ultimately, however, the victory went to the Austrian countertenor JJ with his contribution "Wasted Love", while Germany ended up in 15th with Abor & Tyna. Switzerland secured 10th place with "Voyage". The Latvian group Tautumeitas reached 13th place. Great Britain, on the other hand, achieved zero points and took the last place.

The past of the ESC is characterized by political tensions, and the competition has brought guests together from different countries, whereby its integration into local cultures and contexts was often the reflection of larger geopolitical questions. The competition was launched in 1956 to promote the cooperation of Western European radio organizations. Over time, the ESC reflected different political currents, even during the Cold War.

The meaning of the Eurovision Song Contest goes beyond the music. It also becomes a political stage, whereby appearances by artists are often interpreted as support or resistance in political conflicts. Even if the ESC does not officially pursue political goals, it cannot be denied that music and politics are often inseparable in this competition.

Süddeutsche.de reports that ... FAZ.NET href = "https://www.fluter.de/eurovision-song-contest-esc-politik-geschichte"> fluter.de explains the political history of the competition.