The Swiss police have arrested the pro-Palestinian demonstrator who threatened Israel's Eurovision delegation during the turquoise carpet event at the competition's opening ceremony, Israel Hayom has learned.
Jewish community representatives in Basel were informed of the arrest following concerns about the serious incident. Sources within the local Jewish community told the newspaper that the demonstrator was not a local resident but had traveled to the city specifically for the competition.
During the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael faced a threatening gesture from a protester, who mimed a throat-slitting motion. The incident occurred as Raphael walked the turquoise carpet, accompanied by a… pic.twitter.com/FLa0vMAGbM
— ILTV Israel News (@ILTVNews) May 11, 2025
The incident occurred on Monday when a young man carrying a Palestinian flag, who was participating in an anti-Israel demonstration, made a throat-slitting gesture toward the Israeli Eurovision 2025 delegation as they walked the turquoise carpet during their presentation. In response to the threatening gesture, members of the Israeli delegation filed a police complaint, and Swiss police officials later arrived to collect testimonies.
The young man has been arrested and brought in for questioning. Israel's public broadcaster will continue to monitor developments in the investigation with local law enforcement authorities.
