Eurovision viewers accuse show of ‘censoring’ boos during Israel’s performance

Viewers watching accused the broadcaster of muting out boos (Image: Getty)

Eurovision 2025 viewers have accused TV bosses of “censoring” audience boos during Israel’s semi-final performance by singer Yuval Raphael.

Raphael performed her song 'New Day Will Rise' during Thursday night’s live show, broadcast in the UK on BBC One. But while minimal jeering could be heard on the televised version, fans claim the crowd’s response was heavily muted.

Footage circulating on social media, allegedly filmed by people inside the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel and during rehearsals, appears to capture louder booing that was not audible in the BBC broadcast. Viewers at home were quick to accuse the organisers of trying to mask the reaction.

Israel's rehearsal was interrupted by protests (Image: Getty)

One user wrote on X: “Eurovision adding crowd noise over Israel's performance so viewers can't hear the booing.” While another person added: “And the booing was LOUD. WHO are you trying to fool???” And someone else penned: “The boos at Eurovision were so loud for that performance that they weren’t able to filter them all. That country shouldn’t be allowed to compete anyway.” A fourth person revealed: "The booing of the crowd in the EuroVillage was loud afff .. Israel is not welcomed and that’s it."

Although the Eurovision is shown on the BBC, the broadcaster has stated it has no control over the audio feed, which was supplied by Eurovision organiser the EBU and its Swiss partner broadcaster. The Express has reached out to EBU for comment, however, it has has rejected the claims outright to other outlets.

A spokesperson told The Independent: “We heard no booing during Yuval’s performance tonight and we have had no reports of booing either. The atmosphere stayed positive and celebratory throughout!”

While ESC Director Martin Green told the Express: "Our fans have demonstrated their passion and fairness brilliantly, with an incredible atmosphere in the arena for all the dress rehearsals and Semi Finals. Their commitment as ever has been amazing and we trust them to support all artists in the spirit of being United By Music. Obviously we're watching all shows closely, and look forward to welcoming thousands more to enjoy the live Eurovision Song Contest experience."

There have been many protests against Israel's involvement in the show (Image: Getty)

Israels participitation in the contest has always been a controversial point, however, tensions are unsurprisingly high due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The war began when Israel launched a military offensive in response to Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, which left around 1,200 dead at the Nova festival. According Palestinian health authorities, more than 52,800 people — many of them women and children — have been killed.

Yuval Raphael, who is a survivor of the October 7 attacks, previously told the BBC that she was bracing herself for a hostile reception. “But we are here to sing and I'm going to sing my heart out for everyone,” she said.

Calls for Israel to be banned from this year’s contest have been growing for months. More than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter urging organisers to disqualify Israel and its national broadcaster KAN over the war in Gaza.

Despite the controversy, the Eurovision Grand Final will take place on Saturday 17 May and will be shown live on BBC One from 8pm.

The Express has reached out for comment from the BBC and EBU.