UK girl group Remember Monday have addressed the growing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, as they prepare to take to the stage in Basel, Switzerland.
The trio, Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, who met at sixth-form college and went on to build careers in musical theatre before forming their band, are representing the UK with their upbeat track What The Hell Just Happened?, an energetic anthem inspired by a chaotic night out.
While they said they’re “so excited” to represent their country on the global stage, they acknowledged the political tensions around this year’s contest, namely the criticisms surrounding Israel’s inclusion.
“We just think it's really difficult, it's such a complex issue and that's really difficult to comment on in a little soundbite,” they told the Standard. “But we're so excited, Eurovision was literally created to celebrate - the slogan is 'United by Music'. We're excited to be here and be meeting all the acts and participating in such an amazing competition.”
Protests are expected across Basel this week, with security ramped up amid Israel’s continued inclusion in the show, despite ongoing criticism linked to the war in Gaza.
About 1,300 police officers are on duty in the host city, backed by support from the Swiss Armed Forces and police units from neighbouring Germany and France.
Local campaigners have already staged actions, including placing Palestinian flags near Sunday’s opening Turquoise Carpet event. More demonstrations are scheduled ahead of the grand final on Saturday, with authorities warning they may intervene if protests disrupt public safety.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, has acknowledged the “deeply held views” surrounding the conflict but stressed that Israel’s broadcaster Kan is not state-controlled and has itself faced threats of closure from the government.
Last year, Kan reported facing “immense pressure” during the 2024 contest in Malmö, where their entrant Eden Golan made the final.
However, artists and public figures have also weighed in about the country’s inclusion ahead of the weekend.
Former Eurovision contestants including Ireland’s Charlie McGettigan and the UK’s Mae Muller have signed an open letter urging Kan’s suspension from the contest. Irish broadcaster RTÉ has also called for “a wider discussion” on Israel’s involvement.
Asked how they manage competing in a show that’s increasingly politicised, Remember Monday said: “I think we honestly just try to focus on what we're here to do, which is hopefully do our country proud.
“It is such an amazing thing to be able to say that you've done and such a small number of artists get to do this kind of thing where they represent their country. It's a crazy little group to be apart of so that's what we're trying to focus on.”
The band also praised this year’s efforts to improve artist welfare, following a high-profile disqualification in 2024.
Dutch act Joost Klein was removed from last year’s final after allegedly threatening a production worker. Though a criminal case was later dropped, the EBU pledged to introduce new safeguarding rules for 2025, with a raft of measures to “protect” the wellbeing of artists in Basel – these appear to include the scrapping of semi-final media conferences, and more welfare measures for artists, and rules for delegations, and journalists.
“We only have our experience to go by and it's honestly been incredible,” the band shared. “We are so happy we feel so looked after, so safe. We're genuinely having the time of our lives, we are so, so grateful to be apart of this incredible community.”
Switzerland is pulling out all the stops to host the 2025 contest after non-binary artist Nemo won last year with The Code.
There are rumours of a surprise performance from former winner Celine Dion, while organisers have lined up 250 hours of live music, a dedicated Eurovision Village and a street-wide food and drink festival.
The semi-finals air Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC Radio 2, with the Grand Final on Saturday night. Switzerland will be joined by the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – the so-called “big five” – along with the countries who make it through the heats.
