Protests against Israel: Tensions are rising quickly before the ESC in Basel!

Protests against Israel: Tensions are rising quickly before the ESC in Basel!

Today, May 17, 2025, the city of Basel is grappling with a growing number of pro-Palestine demonstrators ahead of the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). These gatherings, which draw attention to themselves with provocative actions and calls for solidarity with Palestine, have intensified in the last few hours. The police repeatedly asked the demonstrators to clear the streets before the ESC show to ensure the safety of everyone present. According to oe24.at, numerous demonstrators have set Israeli flags on fire and are wearing fake blood on their faces, which is intended to illustrate the seriousness of their messages.

Particularly striking are the posters with inscriptions such as “Boycott Israel – Apartheid” and “No stage for genocide”. These messages aim to draw attention to the situation in the Middle East and have been generously placed around the Eurovision Village. The police are monitoring the situation closely and have already threatened to intervene directly if the situation worsens. The demonstration procession, which is located near the Middle Bridge, is moving increasingly closer to the ESC fans, which increases the tension between the two groups. The demonstration is currently turning towards Kleinbasel, approximately at the level of the Johanniter Bridge.

A look at protest movements in Europe

These massive protests not only attract local attention, but also sit within a larger context affecting European society and its democracies. According to a survey carried out in six European countries as part of the ProDem project, many people are concerned about the declining quality of democracy in Europe. The survey results show widespread distrust of national political processes, while at the same time trust in EU institutions appears to be increasing, especially when trust in national governments is low. This dynamic could also reflect the current protest movement in Basel, as distrust in politics often forms the breeding ground for such massive public mobilizations.

Another interesting aspect is the interaction between protest movements and political institutions. In several countries, including Germany, anti-democratic parties are increasingly hijacking protest movements to further their own political goals. An example of this is the AfD, which has used the concerns of the Pegida movement. This trend shows that protests are not only a response to societal grievances, but can also be used to gain political power, highlighting the complexity and far-reaching impact of such movements.

Especially in the context of the ESC, which is seen by many as a sign of cultural diversity and peace, these protests raise questions that go far beyond the musical competition. While the event provides a space for celebration, the demonstrations call for reflection on the current political situation and the challenges to democratic values ​​in Europe.