Overview

• The 69th Eurovision Song Contest begins in Basel, Switzerland, with the Grand Final set for May 17 at St. Jakobshalle.
• Heightened security measures include 1,300 police officers and military specialists, reflecting concerns over protests tied to Israel’s involvement.
• Israel’s entry, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 2023 Hamas attack, has drawn criticism from several European officials and human rights groups.
• New flag policies limit official spaces to national flags, effectively banning Pride flags, which has sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
• The opening parade, featuring all 37 participants, traversed Basel’s historic old town, marking the start of the week-long festivities.