Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green stated that pro-Palestinian protests – targeting Israel's participation and its representative Yuval Rapahel – were conducted "peacefully" and "respectfully" in Basel on Sunday. Green made these comments in an interview with Eurotrip Podcast as the Eurovision events officially began.
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In a video published on the podcast's Instagram account, an interviewer asked Green if the protests at the opening event on the turquoise carpet were a "headache" or if he was going to "address it." Green responded: "It's a free country and a democracy, and everybody has a right to their opinion," adding, "The people that were out there today did it peacefully and respectfully... They have every right to do that."
This statement comes after Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation Kan filed a complaint with the Swiss Police after a pro-Palestinian protester made a throat-slitting gesture toward the Israeli delegation as they boarded a tram for a journey in Basel. The Israeli delegation, including representative Yuval Raphael, was traveling with delegations from other countries when they passed through the crowds where the incident occurred.
