Protests to hit Eurovision week amid ‘risk' of cyber and terror attack
As the Eurovision Song Contest week kicks off, Basel could become a hotspot for protests due to Israel's participation, which continues to spark outrage amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. The city is set to host the 2025 contest following Switzerland's Nemo's victory last May in Sweden with their song 'The Code', a reflection on their non-binary identity.
Around 1,300 Swiss police officers are expected to be on duty in Basel this week, bolstered by additional forces from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police and neighbouring countries – Germany and France. This comes ahead of the two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday, and the grand final on Saturday.
Adrian Plachesi, head of communications for Basel police, told PA news agency that they are aware such events could pose an "increased risk of terror attacks" from extremists. They are also keeping an eye out for potential "cyber attacks" on the city's infrastructure.
In response to the "heightened threat level", the force has ramped up video surveillance and implemented some road closures in the city centre, according to Swiss police. Mr Plachesi revealed that no permission has been granted for protests, but officers will be positioned in anticipation of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. He warned that officers "might have to intervene" if demonstrations compromise "public safety".
Local activists, Basel for Palestine, attempted to display Palestinian flags near the Eurovision opening event, the Turquoise Carpet, on Sunday. More protests are planned for Saturday in the city centre at 7pm.
Israel has sounded an alarm for its citizens planning a trip to Basel, cautioning that "events of this type are a preferred target for threats and attacks by various terrorist elements", and advising them to steer clear of "hot spots and these demonstrations, which could escalate into violence".
Travellers are also cautioned to "avoid attending large-scale events associated with Israel that are not secured" and to "minimise Israeli /Jewish symbols in public spaces".
At Malmo 2024 in Sweden, the streets were flooded with thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, including notable climate activist Greta Thunberg. Meanwhile, Eurovision's organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), struggled to market the event's theme 'united by music' while striving to keep it free from political undertones.
Despite anticipated protests, the Swiss are gearing up for a Eurovision extravaganza they believe will be memorable. Rumours swirl that Eurovision legend Celine Dion might grace the stage again, as Switzerland gears up for the celebration, promising a festive food and drink street, 250 hours of thrilling live music, and the much-anticipated Eurovision Village.
Their selection for 2025 is Basel-born songbird Zoe Me, who penned Voyage in Scotland, collaborating with Scottish songstress and ex-X Factor contender Ili, real name Emily Middlemas, and Theo Adams, the creative mastermind behind Olly Alexander's mesmerising Dizzy act in 2024.
In conversation with PA, Me expressed her aspiration to be a "good host". She said, "the main goal for me is reaching people's hearts and maybe changing their lives for the better" through the power of her songs.
Mr Plachesi has given some advice to UK Eurovision fans heading to Basel, urging them to "have fun", remember the emergency services number 112, and download the Welcome Home – Basel app for information on how to get help.
Among the current favourites to win is KAJ, a group from Finland's Swedish-speaking minority who will represent Sweden. Their upbeat comical song Bara Bada Bastu is inspired by Nordic sauna culture.
This marks the first time since the 1990s that Sweden, which shares the record for the most Eurovision wins with Ireland, has entered a song in Swedish. This was made possible when rules about competing in a country's official language were relaxed.
Other contenders include Dutch entry Claude Kiambe's C'est La Vie, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, with New Day Will Rise, Austrian singer JJ's Wasted Love, and French singer Louane's ballad Maman.
In May last year, the Netherlands' contestant Joost Klein was expelled by the EBU just before the final due to alleged verbal threats to a female production worker. The decision was strongly criticised by Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, and a criminal case against Klein was later dropped by Swedish prosecutors. Following a review, the EBU has pledged a new code of conduct for 2025, introducing a range of measures to "protect" the wellbeing of artists in Basel.
This year, former Eurovision stars including Ireland's victor Charlie McGettigan and the UK's Mae Muller, who finished second to last in 2023, have penned a letter demanding a ban on Israel's public broadcaster Kan, accusing Israel of "genocide", a claim which Israel refutes.
Just last week, Irish demonstrators, including The Crying Game actor Stephen Rea, advocated for an RTE boycott of the event. The Irish broadcaster has reached out to the EBU for a broader discussion about Israel's participation.
On Tuesday, performances from Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Ukraine's Ziferblat are scheduled, with Thursday seeing the UK's girl group Remember Monday, Ireland's Emmy Kristiansen and Israel taking the stage.
The EBU has acknowledged the "concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East", but has highlighted that Kan is not backed by the Israeli government, which has been "threatening to shut down the broadcaster".
Last year, Kan reported it had "faced immense pressure and an unprecedented display of hatred, notably from other delegations and artists", when Eden Golan made it to the final with Hurricane.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 51,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have lost their lives in the Hamas-Israel war. Israel disputes these numbers, asserting that approximately 20,000 militants have been killed.
Get ready for prime-time entertainment as the semi-finals and final of the much-anticipated event kick off at 8pm UK time, with live coverage on BBC One and BBC Radio 2. In the grand finale, former champ Switzerland will join forces with the "big five" – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – to battle it out against the successful qualifiers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Channel 4
2 minutes ago
- Channel 4
Hamas accepts ceasefire plan as Israel pushes forward with Gaza City assault
Hamas has agreed to an Egyptian and Qatari proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, which will see Palestinian prisoners released in return for half the Israeli hostages. It comes as Israel prepares to step up the war and seize Gaza City – a plan that has sparked mass demonstrations.
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Trump says Washington talks could lead to ‘trilat' with Ukraine and Russia
The US president is hosting several European leaders at the White House on Monday, including the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump said he would phone the Russian president after the talks. 'I think if everything works out well today, we'll have a trilat, and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,' the US president said. We've got to get this right. We've got to make sure there is peace, that it is is lasting peace and that it is fair and that it is just Sir Keir Starmer He later added: 'If we don't have a trilat, then the fighting continues.' Vladimir Putin, who Mr Trump met on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, is set to receive a phone call once the talks have 'finished', the president said. 'We're going to have a phone call right after these meetings today and we may or may not have a trilat.' Asked about 'Nato-like protection' for Ukraine, Donald Trump replied: 'I don't know if you define it that way, but Nato-like? I mean, we're going to give, we have people waiting in another room right now, they're all here, from Europe. 'Biggest people in Europe. 'And they want to give protection, they feel very strongly about it, and we'll help them out with that.' Mr Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff had suggested that measures similar to Nato's article five mutual defence provision could be offered by the US without Kyiv joining the alliance. The Ukrainian president wore a black shirt with buttons and a black blazer to the meeting at the White House. President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/PA) His attire appeared to become a point of irritation for Mr Trump during a previous meeting in February, when he was wearing a black polo bearing the Ukrainian coat of arms and the US president said: 'He's all dressed up today.' In their latest meeting, Mr Trump indicated he agreed with a reporter who described Mr Zelensky as looking 'fabulous in that suit'. Mr Zelensky earlier said he wanted to thank first lady of the United States Melania Trump, who on Friday penned a plea to Mr Putin, imploring him to protect the 'innocence' of children. 'Undeniably, we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all – so that every soul may wake to peace and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded,' she wrote. Mr Zelensky presented Mr Trump with a letter from his wife. Sir Keir, who met with Mr Zelensky and several other European leaders on Monday before arriving at the White House, had earlier said in a video posted to X: 'Everybody wants it to end, not least the Ukrainians. 'But we've got to get this right. We've got to make sure there is peace, that it is is lasting peace and that it is fair and that it is just. 'That's why I'm travelling to Washington with other European leaders to discuss this face to face with President Trump and President Zelensky, because it's in everyone's interests, it's in the UK's interests that we get this right.'
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000
'We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,' he posted on his Truth Social site. Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli army airstrike in Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip (Mariam Dagga/AP) Israel announced plans to reoccupy Gaza City and other heavy populated areas after the ceasefire talks appeared to have broken down last month, raising the possibility of a worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which experts say is sliding into famine. Plans to expand the offensive, which are in part aimed at pressuring Hamas, have sparked international outrage and infuriated many Israelis who fear for the remaining hostages taken in the October 7 attack that started the war. Hundreds of thousands took part in mass protests on Sunday calling for their return. Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said mediators are 'exerting extensive efforts' to revive a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, during which some hostages would be released and the sides would negotiate a lasting ceasefire and the return of the rest. He spoke during a visit to Egypt's Rafah crossing with Gaza, which has not functioned since Israel seized the Palestinian side in May 2024. He was accompanied by Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, which has been largely sidelined since the war began. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa and Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty attend a press conference during their visit to Rafah crossing (Mayar Mokhtar/AP) Mr Abdelatty said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had joined the talks, which include senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, who arrived in Cairo last week. He said they are open to other ideas, including for a comprehensive deal that would release all the hostages at once. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, later told The Associated Press that the militant group had accepted the proposal introduced by the mediators, without elaborating. An Egyptian official, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, said the proposal includes changes to Israel's pullback of its forces and guarantees for negotiations on a lasting ceasefire during the initial truce. The official said it is almost identical to an earlier proposal accepted by Israel, which has not yet joined the latest talks. Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egypt State Information Service, told the AP that Egypt and Qatar have sent the Hamas-accepted proposal to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas has been disarmed, and to maintain lasting security control over Gaza. Egyptian Red Crescent members prepare humanitarian aid at their warehouse in the logistical centre supporting Gaza in Egypt (Mayar Mokhtar/AP) Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. – Palestinian death toll surpasses 62,000 The Gaza Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from the war had climbed to 62,004, with another 156,230 people wounded. It does not say how many were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own. The ministry said 1,965 people have been killed while seeking humanitarian aid since May, either in the chaos around UN convoys or while heading to sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. Witnesses, health officials and the UN human rights office say Israeli forces have repeatedly fired toward crowds of people seeking aid. Israel says it has only fired warning shots at people who approached its forces while GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired into the air on rare occasions to prevent deadly crowding.
