Sawt Falasteen - Eurovision semi starts with milkshake and space odyssey

Australian social media powerhouse Go-Jo opened the show with "Milkshake Man", a song dripping in innuendo and 1970s glam vibes.

Eurovision, the world's biggest live television music event, has a big following in Australia, and the country has competed since 2015.

Next up came Montenegro then Norwegian singer Emmy appearing for Ireland with her space-themed song "Laika Party", featuring spangly silver outfits and a dance beat.

Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 has drawn protests over the Gaza war but the country's competitor, Yuval Raphael is tipped to qualify for Saturday's final.

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

The Eurovision shows are being staged before 6,500 fans at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Switzerland's third city Basel.

- Lust, love and disruptions -

At Thursday's final dress rehearsal, six demonstrators, including a family, disrupted Raphael's performance with oversized flags and whistles and were ejected, the host broadcaster said.

"The organisers are committed to a neutral, safe, inclusive and respectful environment at the Eurovision Song Contest," the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation added.

Based on the performances in Thursday's semi, which closes at 2145 GMT, viewers across Europe and beyond will decide who goes through to the final, when 160 million to 200 million people are expected to tune in.

Bookmakers have Israel, Austria and Finland's entrants as their favourites to progress, alongside contestants from Malta, Australia and Lithuania.

Austria's JJ performed "Wasted Love", a song combining operatic vocals and modern beats, echoing the approach of Swiss vocalist Nemo who won last year with "The Code".

"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."

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

- 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.

Outside the St. Jakobshalle, 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."

Elsewhere in Basel, dozens attended a rally in support of Raphael, waving large Israeli flags.

Some armed police were on duty outside the arena. But both police and protesters were outnumbered by hyped-up 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 the flags of every competing country.

Twenty-six countries will take part in Saturday's 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 Tommy Cash with his Italian-accented "Espresso Macchiato" and Poland's Justyna Steczkowska.

I.Yassin--SF-PST