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The ESC 2025 has started: The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was initiated on May 12, 2025 with a ceremonial opening in Basel. All 37 delegations marched from Rathausplatz to the fair on Sunday – accompanied by political protests.
ESC 2025: “Free Palestine” calls at the opening
As, among other things, the “Badische Zeitung“Reports, several groups protested along the parade with” Free Palestine “calls, whistles and banners. The demonstrators loudly accompanied the arrival of the delegations on the turquoise carpet.
According to the Swiss news site “Nau.ch“ Called activists: repeated “Shame on you” on the inside and thus disturbed the official opening speech. When the Israeli delegation arrived, there were scoops. Some demonstrators then lined up in the parade. The audience reacted with loud “FCB” calls to drown them out.
Group demands exclusion of Israel
The group “Escalate4Palestine” had announced the protests in advance. In a statement, she explained that Israel’s participation in the ESC was not acceptable and called for boycott. Even if the demonstration was peaceful according to the police, they temporarily led to increased police presence and barriers along the route.
So far, the organizers have not publicly commented on the protests. The campaign is discussed controversially in social networks.
ESC 2025 in Basel: Dates and expectations
Basel is the host of the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The semi -finals take place on May 13th and 15th, the final follows on May 17th in the St. Jakobshalle. The city expects up to 500,000 visitors: inside.