Israel's Eurovision star dealt blow as Graham Norton sparks favouritism row

The has once again been embroiled in controversy. This year's entry for , Yuval Raphael, has been surrounded by drama after 70 former contestants penned a letter demanding that the bosses behind the competition exclude Israel due to the ongoing crisis involving Palestine.

Israel has continued to attack Palestine, with thousands of Palestinians starving as aid is continuing to be blocked. This month, Israel announced plans to capture the entire Gaza Strip and drive hundreds of thousands into the South. Meanwhile, Palestinians are starving to death amid a two-month aid block.

Israel's participant was the fourth singer to take to the stage in Basel, Switzerland, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Swiss icon Loreen, who landed her second win last year.

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Speaking at the Grand Final, host Graham Norton commented: "Not sure what you're hearing at home, slightly mixed response here in the hall," as the crowed booed and also cheered Yuval. Those at home were also quick to comment on the mixed response.

Taking to X, formerly known as , one viewer said: "The fake clapping during Israel... like we don't know the majority of the crowd is booing. #eurovision2025." A second asked: "Is it just me or did Eurovision add canned screams and cheers during and after Israel's performance? Because the few times they brought out the audience, it didn't seem like they were the ones doing it. Plus, it was how the sound kept coming and going..."

A third fumed: "When a song finishes there is a natural rise in the audience reaction. What we just heard with Israel was a low volume rapturous applause, just turned up. No natural rise, just completely fake. How is that allowed? How is that not viewed as influencing the vote? #Eurovision2025."

Responding to Graham's comment, another social media user penned: "'Not sure what you're hearing at home, slightly mixed response in the hall' - Graham Norton after Israel's performance. YEAH YOU EXPOSE THAT ANTI BOOING FOR US GRAHAM #Eurovision #Eurovision2025."

"Almost a seamless cover-up of the booing of Israel during the flag parade. Almost. #Eurovision2025," said another. Meanwhile, a sixth added: "The fake clapping during Israel... like we don't know the majority of the crowd is booing. #eurovision2025."

In response to allegations regarding favouritism and editing the audio, a spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest said: "For the Eurovision Song Contest, the host broadcaster SRG SSR is working with the 'audio sweetening' method, which is common practice for major international productions.

"This process helps to harmonise the sound of the transitions between moderations, video clips and the individual acts and to create a consistent soundscape for the TV audience. It is used exclusively for the technical rounding off of the programme. This process is used equally and identically for all acts. The competition and its results are not affected in any way."

Prior to Yuval taking to the stage, Graham said: "Now, of course, their participation in the competition continues to be controversial. Fewer protests this year, but a mixed response in some of the rehearsals, but of course, they're here tonight from the semi-finals because of the public vote."

The rehearsal of Raphael's performance of New Day Will Rise had been met with backlash after allegations that audience booing had been edited out and fake cheers had reportedly been added in. One fan fumed: "I have a huge issue with the EBU silencing the booing during Israel’s performance and adding fake cheers to make it sound like there's a positive reception from the audience. EBU is a public service broadcaster whose purpose is to serve the public, not to silence them."

A second added: "Why do you mute the audience's boos and replace them with fake applause effects? Where are your ethical values?" Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union has agreed to discuss Israel's participation in the competition next year.

Protests have also taken place in the host city of Basel following Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which has been named a genocide by . Reports suggest that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with more than a third being under 18.

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