Two members from the pro-Palestine group Youth Demand were detained after attempting to rush the stage while Israel’s Yuval Raphael performed during the Eurovision Song Contest
Two protestors from the pro-Palestinian group Youth Demand were detained after disrupting the Israeli final performance at Eurovision. On May 17, activists David Currey, 22, and Meaghan Leon , 27, were forcibly removed from St. Jakobshalle arean in Basel, Switzerland after attempting to rush the stage while Israel’s Yuval Raphael performed New Day Will Rise.
As Yuval Raphael thanked viewers, UK commentator Graham Norton told viewers: “I’m not sure what you’re hearing at home, but it was a mixed response [from the crowd].” Confirming the disruption, a spokesperson for Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR which organised the event said: “At the end of the Israeli performance a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.
“They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit.” The Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR also added: “The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.”
A spokesperson for Basel police shared: “The organiser handed the two people over to the police. The police checked the two people and then released them. It is now up to the organiser to decide whether to press charges.”
Following the demonstrations, Youth Demand shared videos from David and Meaghan recorded prior to the performance and following their release by Basel police. The first video, shared on Youth Demand’s Instagram account shows David being restrained by security during Yuval’s performance as he shouts ‘Free Palestine’.
Alongside the clips from the demonstration is a message from David, reportedly recorded prior to the event. “Tomorrow I’m gonna attempt to disrupt the Israeli performance at Eurovision with Youth Demand,” says David.
In the video, David condemns the Israeli state which he says is “actively armed by our UK government and others across Europe” and the fact they are being presented on a global stage. “Here we are having a party with them on the biggest stage of them all”.
David shares concerns about the planned disruption at the live venue in his message. “I’m absolutely terrified to take this action tomorrow” but continues, “I’m left with very little choice other than to escalate my actions.”
The activist group shared a video message from David and Meaghan following their arrest. Meaghan says she’s been “anxious for weeks” in the lead up to the direct action at Eurovision.
David shares as well that before the Yuval’s performance, extra security was dispersed which affected their initial plans. Still, they managed to hop the barricade but were then faced with “pretty grim aggression” from security at the event, Eurovision staff and later on by police. Video from the demonstration shows David’s mouth being covered by guards and his hair being pulled.
Youth Demand has called on the UK government to impose a total trade embargo on Israel. It says that it will continue to practice nonviolent resistance until this demand is met.
Prior to Yuval’s performance, pro-Palestinian protests took place near a free concert in the centre of Basel against Israel’s inclusion in the contest. Protesters clashed with police shortly before Yuval took to the stage.
Yuval finished second to Austrian singer JJ in the competition’s final, after winning the public vote. She is one of the survivors of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival, which killed hundreds of people.
The Mirror has reached out to Youth Demand and Eurovision for comment.