by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed




Basel under protest: Demonstrations against Israel erupted at the turquoise carpet event-Palestinian flags appeared at Eurovision 2025’s opening. See images from the Basel protests.

The anticipation for Eurovision week peaked with the opening of the turquoise carpet in Basel, a festive event marking the start of the 2025 contest celebrations. However, this year, beneath the festivities, a particularly charged reality emerged: numerous protests broke out in the city even before the event began, in opposition to Israel’s participation.

According to reports, Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative this year, is expected to walk the turquoise carpet. Yet, on the way to the venue, journalists, spectators, and delegation members encountered an unbearable scene: intense protests swept through Basel’s streets, with Palestinian flags raised everywhere. See the images later in this article!




Politics and Eurovision: Tensions at the Heart of the Festivities

The Euromix team, on their way to cover the turquoise carpet event, closely documented these unusual occurrences. Even before the turquoise carpet began, protests against Israel’s participation in Eurovision, accompanied by Palestinian flags, took place throughout Basel.

Photos accompanying the report show dozens of protesters, some wearing keffiyehs or dressed in the colors of the Palestinian flag, holding signs calling for Israel’s boycott from the contest. The protest did not end in the streets-it also reached the official event itself.

Unexpected Colors on the Turquoise Carpet: Palestinian and Pride Flags

During the festive opening of the week, as the grand opening number was performed before the audience and cameras from across Europe, another unusual scene unfolded. While the opening number was underway, numerous Palestinian flags were seen waving alongside pride flags among the crowd at the crucial turquoise carpet event, broadcast live on Eurovision’s official YouTube channel.

The combination of colorful LGBTQ+ flags and the political flags of the protesters created a tense atmosphere. This conflict sharply illustrated the central question raised on social media and by the international press after the event: Is this a political event, or one meant to unite nations? It was evident that the protesters did not grasp the event’s intended purpose.




Difficult Questions at the Start of Eurovision Week

These events cast doubt on the message Eurovision seeks to promote-unity, music, and cultural connection. When political protests penetrate official events, questions arise about the boundaries of free expression within a contest known for its apolitical nature.

Will the contest organizers be required to establish clearer guidelines? Will other participants express their views on the matter? And will Yuval Raphael address the protest? These questions hover over the turquoise carpet and accompany the dramatic start of Eurovision week in Basel.




Eurovision 2025: Dates and Time

The Eurovision Song Contest for 2025 will take place in May, as per tradition. Here are the exact dates:

For those wondering “What time will Eurovision 2025 air?” each event will begin at 21:00 CET.

 

Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.