Sawt Falasteen - Israel in Eurovision spotlight at second semi-final

Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 has drawn protests, but its competitor, Yuval Raphael -- who escaped the Hamas attack on her country -- is hotly tipped to qualify for Saturday's grand final.

Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath dead bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds.

The 24-year-old, with her song "New Day Will Rise", is bidding for one of the 10 remaining spots in the final, when 160 million to 200 million people are expected to watch the world's biggest live television music event.

Based on the performances at the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, viewers across Europe and beyond will decide who will go through to the final.

Bookmakers have Israel, Austria and Finland's entrants as their favourites to progress from the second semi-final, with the contestants from Malta, Australia and Lithuania also thought likely to go through.

Montenegro, Georgia, Denmark and Armenia could struggle to make it, according to the betting odds.

- Protests and leopard print -

As Israel ramps up its war in Gaza, calls have mounted for it to be excluded from Eurovision -- including from the Swiss reigning champion, Nemo.

Some participating broadcasters have called for a discussion on Israel's involvement.

Around 200 demonstrators staged a silent march through Basel on Wednesday against Israel's inclusion.

Outside the arena, dozens of protesters milled about on Thursday with Palestinian flags on their shoulders.

One wore a flag reading "stop genocide", while another shouted: "Stop killing children".

Meanwhile a handful of people waved large Israeli flags at a pro-Israeli rally elsewhere in the city.

Plenty of police officers, some armed, were on duty outside the arena.

But both they and the protesters were easily outnumbered by queueing Eurovision fans, dressed to the nines in leopard print, sequinned dresses and even hot-pink zebra stripes.

They carried Danish, Finnish, Maltese and Israeli flags, while one woman wore a headband decorated with cocktail flags of every competing country.

- Heartache, milkshakes and leather -

In Thursday's semi, Austria's JJ will perform "Wasted Love", a song combining operatic vocals and modern beats, echoing the style of Nemo's winning tune last year.

"My song is about my personal experience with wasted and unreciprocated love," he told AFP.

"My message is to stay strong and you'll get out of any situation, no matter how tough it is. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel."

Eurovision has a big following in Australia, and the country has been invited to compete since 2015.

Australian social media powerhouse Go-Jo opens Thursday's show with "Milkshake Man".

The performance features innuendo, 1970s glam vibes, a giant blender and a knee slide.

"I'm very ready and I couldn't be more confident," he told AFP.

Finland's Erika Vikman is gaining traction and closes Thursday's concert with "Ich Komme", a leather-clad song about falling into the trance of lust.

- Lips and Laika -

Ireland is being represented by Norwegian singer Emmy, with a silvery space-themed song, "Laika Party".

"It's starting to feel real, but at the same time it's so surreal," the 24-year-old told AFP.

"I'm so excited."

Malta's Miriana Conte's performance of the song "Serving" features a giant pair of lips and a glitterball.

The 24-year-old said she wanted to send a message of support to the trans community.

"It's very sad to be born in a world where you are not allowed to be yourself," she told AFP.

"I'm very outspoken as a person and I carry this responsibility with a lot of heart."

Following Thursday's second semi-final, 26 countries will take part in Saturday's glitzy final.

Comedy trio KAJ -- from Finland but representing Sweden -- are making their competitors sweat with their song "Bara Bada Bastu", about the joys of having a sauna.

They came through Tuesday's first semi-final, as did Estonia's wobbly-legged Tommy Cash with his Italian-accented "Espresso Macchiato" and Poland's age-defying Justyna Steczkowska, 52.

L.AbuAli--SF-PST