The UK’s annual Eurovision humiliation is almost upon us, with a nationwide collective groan in the build up in the anticipation of the infamous ‘nil point’ being awarded to the UK from our European counterparts surely on the horizon.
While the UK can expect to be beaten by the rest of the continent, it becomes particularly scathing when we’re usually beaten by nations which aren’t even in Europe - namely Australia and Israel.
But why are countries like Israel and Australia, not in the EU, participating in the Eurovision Song Contest? We have all the answers here.
Why are Israel and Australia in Eurovision?
A nation must have a broadcaster operating inside the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in order to qualify. After that, the broadcaster has the option of choosing their artist internally or through a nationally aired selection procedure.
In 1973, Israel joined Eurovision because the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was an active member of the EBU.
Australia's participation in Eurovision stems from a number of factors, including its close ties to the EBU and longstanding interest in the competition (it has been broadcasting the competition since 1983).
Australia received their first invitation to compete as a guest competitor in 2015 with Guy Sebastian, and they have been permitted to do so every year thereafter.
In an attempt to participate in the Eurovision celebrations New Zealand also started a campaign in 2023. However, despite its best efforts, the country has yet to receive an invitation.
China, who expressed to join in 2015, has also been unlucky.
Why is Israel’s entry controversial?
Due to the continuing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has been under intense pressure to withdraw from this year's competition, despite this, their contestant Yuval Raphael has managed to guarantee a place in the competition with the song New Day Will Rise.
In an attempt to earn a spot in Saturday's grand-final, Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas attack at the Nova music festival, will play in the second semi-final on Thursday night.
According to the EBU, Israel is permitted to participate since its public services broadcaster, Kan, rather than its government, represents the nation.
But some critics argue that double standards aren’t being met since the EBU has banned Russia from the event since 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine.
Are protests planned against Israel?
Israeli broadcaster Kan filed a complaint with local authorities after Yuval Raphael, the Israeli candidate for Eurovision, encountered protesters while walking the "turquoise carpet" in Basel, Switzerland, over the weekend.
The renowned turquoise carpet, which this year was the longest ever at 0.8 miles (1.3 km), was traversed by the artists representing the 37 nations competing in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.
Protesters in the crowd booed 24-year-old Raphael, who is representing Israel at the event.
The Basel protests coincide with the current war between Hamas and the Israeli government.
Hamas attacked the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, killing 1,195 people and taking at least 250 Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's subsequent assault of Gaza.
Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which includes the blockade of humanitarian aid that results in shortages of food and medicine, has drawn outrage from around the world.
More than 70 past Eurovision candidates, including winners,
With Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest continuing to draw controversy, protesters are anticipated to target Basel, Switzerland this week as the competition gets underway.
Prior to the two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday and the grand final on Saturday, about 1,300 Swiss police officers will be on duty in the city this week.
Additional forces from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police, and neighbouring countries, like Germany and France, will also be called in.
Adrian Plachesi, the chief of communications for Basel police, stated in a statement that although no authorisation has been given for protests, police would be on hand for anticipated pro-Palestinian rallies.
Officers “may have to intervene” if protests compromise “public safety” he added.
Local activists Basel for Palestine tried to hang Palestinian flags on the Turquoise Carpet, the venue for the beginning of the Turquoise Carpet, on Sunday. Additional demonstrations are planned for Saturday at 7pm in the city centre.
The Israeli government has warned its citizens visiting Basel to stay away from “hot spots and these demonstrations, which could escalate into violence” as “events of this type are a preferred target for threats and attacks by various terrorist elements.”
Additionally, they advise travellers to “minimise Israeli/Jewish symbols in public spaces” and “avoid attending large-scale events associated with Israel that are not secured.”
