Israeli Eurovision Track Contest contender Yuval Raphael confronted a failed stage invasion throughout her efficiency on the Grand Closing on Saturday night time.
Swiss broadcaster SSR, which hosts the telecast of the Eurovision competitors, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter {that a} crew member was hit with paint after a person and a lady tried to recover from the barrier across the stage on the St. Jakobshalle enviornment in Basel, Switzerland.
“On the finish of the Israeli efficiency, a person and a lady tried to recover from a barrier onto the stage. They have been stopped. One of many two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is okay and no one was injured. The person and the lady have been taken out of the venue and handed over to the police,” the Swiss broadcaster stated in a press release.
For the second yr operating, the Eurovision contest was overshadowed by protests over the European Broadcasting Union’s resolution to permit an entrant from Israel to take part, regardless of calls this yr for Raphael’s exclusion and pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests going down outdoors the world.
Raphael, a survivor of the Nova pageant bloodbath on Oct. 7, 2023, did a solo efficiency round and up and down a large chandelier-like staircase on stage. Presenting the BBC One’s protection within the UK, Graham Norton lit up social media websites after insisting on the finish of Raphael’s efficiency: “I’m unsure what you possibly can hear at residence. Barely blended reception right here within the corridor.”
Not one of the disruption across the failed stage invasion may very well be seen on the dwell feed for the 2025 Eurovision Grand Closing, as Raphael concluded her efficiency to applause from the world viewers.
An earlier costume rehearsal for Raphael forward of the second semi-final on Thursday was additionally disrupted as six folks appeared with flags and whistles. “Safety personnel have been capable of rapidly determine these concerned and escort them out of the corridor,” host broadcaster SRG stated in an earlier assertion.