Fourteen individuals were arrested on Saturday before the start of the Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna. Authorities stated the arrests were made during an unregistered pro-Palestinian demonstration near the venue, with some participants reportedly violating a ban on face coverings.
This incident occurred alongside a larger, separate demonstration in Vienna attended by several thousand people protesting Israel's inclusion in the international music competition. That earlier protest, however, concluded without arrests or significant disruptions.
Incidents Inside and Outside the Venue
Previous reports from Malmö and Basel detail escalating tensions surrounding Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In Malmö, riot police apprehended pro-Palestine protesters who attempted to disrupt the event. Estimates suggest a crowd of up to 20,000 pro-Palestine supporters gathered in the city prior to the finale. Tensions flared, with some protesters expressing views against Israel's existence and the treatment of Israeli singer Eden Golan.
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Further controversy in Malmö involved the disqualification of the Netherlands' entry, Joost Klein, following an alleged "threatening movement" towards a camerawoman. The Dutch broadcaster deemed the penalty "very heavy and disproportionate."
In Basel, clashes erupted between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and riot police shortly before Israeli entrant Yuval Raphael was due to perform. These confrontations began when police intervened in an altercation involving individuals waving Israeli flags. One woman at the protest held a bundle symbolising children affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Disruptions and Rehearsals
During the final in Basel, two individuals attempted to rush the stage, disrupting Israel's performance. Organisers confirmed that a Eurovision crew member was struck with paint during this attempt. Protesters also reportedly left their seats and booed during Israel's "postcard" introduction segment. These incidents follow earlier disruptions during Israel's rehearsal, leading to the removal of pro-Palestinian activists.
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Background to the Controversy
The Eurovision Song Contest has been marked by controversy regarding Israel's participation. Calls for a boycott, spearheaded by movements like the Palestine-led BDS, have emerged. Some national broadcasters, including Ireland's RTÉ, have formally questioned the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about Israel's inclusion, with the EBU stating discussions would occur after the competition. Despite these pressures, organisers have defended Israel's involvement, emphasizing that the contest is a non-political cultural event.
The participation of Israeli singer Yuval Raphael in the 2025 contest in Basel also drew protests. She arrived to jeers from demonstrators at the Eurovision launch event. Her semi-final performance, however, proceeded without incident, and she advanced to the final.
One pro-Palestinian protestor, interviewed during a demonstration in Malmö, expressed the sentiment that "Israel should not exist." Another report notes that some protesters at a march believed that "vile abuse of brave Eden [Golan] was fair game."
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