Shocking: Protester Threatens to Slit Yuval Raphael's Throat at Eurovision

Swiss authorities are investigating a threatening gesture directed at Israeli Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael during the competition’s opening ceremony in Basel on Tuesday, following a formal complaint by Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan.

As contestants traveled through the city in vintage trams and buses along the traditional “turquoise carpet” route, anti-Israel demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and shouted slogans. A viral video captured a young man wearing a keffiyeh making a throat-slitting gesture toward Raphael and the Israeli delegation. Kan’s complaint alleges the protester also spat at delegation members.

Kan has urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Eurovision’s organizer, to identify the individual responsible. Basel police reported no major disruptions, noting that approximately 150 protesters were contained at Messeplatz to ensure the parade proceeded smoothly.

Israel’s participation in Eurovision has faced heightened scrutiny since the Gaza war began, with over 70 former contestants calling for its exclusion. Swiss authorities have bolstered security, deploying 1,300 police officers and additional surveillance cameras around Basel’s fan zones.

Raphael is set to perform “New Day Will Rise,” a song inspired by the October 7 Hamas attack, in Thursday’s semifinal. The investigation continues as antisemites continue to protest against Israel’s presence at the international event.