The annual European TV network humiliation of the UK is coming, and the national collective roar is that people are expecting the infamous “Zero” that will surely be awarded to Britain from our European counterparts.
While Britain may beat Britain on other continents on Saturday, this becomes especially harsh when we are not usually beaten in Europe – i.e., Australia and Israel.
Israel has now reached tomorrow’s final and Australia has already won the boots.
But why are countries like Israel and Australia not allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest? We have all the answers here.
Why are Israel and Australia on the European TV network?
A country must have a broad operation within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to be eligible. After that, the broadcaster can choose its artist internally or through a national selection program.
In 1973, Israel joined the European Television Network because the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was an active member of the EBU.
Australia’s participation in Eurovision is due to many factors, including a close connection with the EBU and a long-term interest in the competition (which has been broadcasting the competition since 1983).
Australia received an invitation from a visitor competitor in 2015 with Guy Sebastian and can do so every year since.
In order to participate in the European TV celebrations, New Zealand also started a campaign in 2023. But despite the best efforts, the country has not received an invitation.
It is also unfortunate that China joined in 2015.
Why is Israel’s entry controversial?
Israel is under enormous pressure to withdraw from this year’s competition due to ongoing conflicts, and despite this, their contestant Yuval Raphael managed to secure a seat in the competition with the song “New Day.”
Raphael, a survivor of Hamas Attack, is still in the final despite a rehearsal interruption and meeting with Jeers and Boos.
According to the EBU, Israel is allowed to participate because its public service broadcaster Kan and not its government represents the country.
However, some critics believe that the double standard has not been met since 2022 as the EBU banned Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Are protests planned against Israel?
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Israel Broadcasting Corporation) filed a complaint with local authorities after European TV candidate Yuval Raphael met protesters while on the weekend’s “turquoise carpet” in Basel, Switzerland.
The famous turquoise rug is the longest 0.8 miles (1.3 km) ever this year, traveling by artists representing 37 countries in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.
Protesters in the crowd booed Raphael, 24, who represented Israel at the event.
Hamas attacked the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, killing 1,195 people and taking at least 250 Israeli soldiers and civilian hostages. more than 50,000 Palestinians were killed Israel’s subsequent attack on Gaza.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, including a blockade of humanitarian aid, has caused shortages of food and medicine, which has caused anger from all over the world.
Protesters have targeted Basel in Switzerland with more expectations in the final this weekend as Israel participates in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Swiss armed forces, federal police and additional teams from neighboring countries such as Germany and France will also be called up.
Police will hold the expected pro-Palestine rally at the scene despite no authorization for protests, Basel Police Communications Director Adrian Plachesi said in a statement.
If protests compromise on “public safety”, officials “may have to intervene”.
Local militants in Palestine tried to hang the Palestinian flag on Sunday on a turquoise carpet.
The Israeli government has warned its citizens visiting Basel to stay away from “hot spots and these demonstrations, which could escalate into violence” because “this incident is the preferred target for threats and attacks by various terrorists.”
Additionally, they advise travelers to “minimize Israeli/Jewish symbols in public places” and “avoid large-scale events related to Israel.”
