Protests against Israel: Tensions in front of the ESC in Basel rise quickly!

Protests against Israel: Tensions in front of the ESC in Basel rise quickly!

Basel, Schweiz - This day, May 17, 2025, the city of Basel has to deal with a growing number of pro-Palestine demonstrators before the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). These meetings, which draw attention to solidarity with Palestine with provocative actions and calls for solidarity, have intensified in the past few hours. The police asked the demonstrators several times to clear the streets before the ESC show to ensure the safety of everyone present. According to oe24.at, numerous demonstrators of Israeli flags have lit and carry artificial blood on the face of the seriousness of their messages should.

The posters that are provided with inscriptions such as "Boycotted Israel - Apartheid" and "no stage for genocide" are particularly striking. These messages aim to draw attention to the situation in the Middle East and were generously placed in the vicinity of the Eurovision Village. The police observed the situation closely and have already threatened with direct intervention that the situation should continue. The demonstration train, which is located near the middle bridge, is increasingly approaching the fans of the ESC, which increases the tension between the two groups. The demonstration train is currently turning towards Kleinbasel, for example at the level of the Johanniterbrücke.

A look at protest movements in Europe

These massive protests not only attract attention on site, but are also in a larger context that affects European society and its democracies. According to a survey that was carried out in six European countries as part of the Protem project, many people are concerned about the falling quality of democracy in Europe. The survey results show a common distrust of national political processes, while trust in EU institutions seems to increase, especially if trust in national governments is low. This dynamic could also reflect the current protest movement in Basel, since distrust in politics often forms the breeding ground for such massive public mobilizations.

Another interesting aspect is the interaction of protest movements and political institutions. In several countries, including Germany, it is observed that anti -democratic parties are increasingly acquiring protest movements in order to promote their own political goals. An example of this is the AfD that used the concerns of the Pegida movement. This trend shows that protests are not only a reaction to social grievances, but can also be used to gain political power, which illustrates the complexity and the far -reaching effects of such movements.

Especially in the context of the ESC, which is considered a sign of cultural diversity and peace for many, these protests raise questions that go far beyond the musical competition. While the event offers a space for celebrations, the demonstrations for reflection on the current political situation and the challenges of democratic values in Europe are calling up.