Eurovision viewers have accused broadcasters of censoring audience booing during Israel's semi-final performance on Thursday night.
Yuval Raphael, Israel's representative, performed her song New Day Will Rise amid controversy over the country's participation in the competition.
While some boos were audible during the television broadcast, footage shared on social media by attendees suggests the actual level of booing in the arena was significantly louder.
Viewers claimed on social media that the boos were minimised or artificially drowned out during the broadcast. "Eurovision adding crowd noise over Israel's performance so viewers can't hear the booing," one viewer alleged on X, formerly Twitter.
BBC Eurovision: Yuval Raphael made it through to the final
BBC
"Of course they filter out the booing, so typical," wrote another viewer, whilst someone else claimed: "The boos at Eurovision were so loud for that performance that they weren't able to filter them all."
The live feed for the BBC's footage came via Eurovision organiser the EBU and its Swiss broadcaster, with the audio unchanged by the BBC besides the addition of live commentary.
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The EBU [European Broadcasting Union] is yet to comment regarding the allegations of audio manipulation during Israel's performance.
Israel's involvement in the music competition has been a point of significant controversy this year, amid the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Hours before the live semi-final, Raphael's rehearsal performance was disrupted by protesters. Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR confirmed that six people, including a family, were removed from the St Jakobshalle arena after disrupting the rehearsal with "oversized flags and whistles".
"Security personnel were able to quickly identify those involved and escort them out of the hall," the broadcaster said in a statement.
This wasn't the first incident during rehearsals. On Wednesday, a person in the audience unfolded a large Palestinian flag during Raphael's performance.
The organisers emphasised their commitment to "a neutral, safe, inclusive and respectful environment" at Eurovision.
Raphael, 24, is one of the survivors of Hamas' attack on an Israeli music festival on October 7, 2023. Despite the controversy, she qualified for Saturday's grand final during Thursday's semi-final.
In advance of her performance, Raphael told the BBC she was "expecting" to be booed. "But we are here to sing and I'm going to sing my heart out for everyone," she added.
One clip to emerge on X showing alleged booing during Israel's performance has racked up over 1.5million views
X
The singer has maintained a low profile in Basel, doing only a handful of media appearances. She described her first day at Eurovision as "frightening, even at times uncomfortable" after the Israeli delegation was met with jeers from pro-Palestine demonstrators at the launch event.
Israel's participation in Eurovision has faced significant opposition, with over 70 former contestants signing an open letter calling for Israel and its national broadcaster KAN to be banned from the competition.
The letter alleged the broadcaster was "complicit in Israel's genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people."
Critics have pointed to what they see as a double standard after Russia was expelled from the competition in 2022.
The Eurovision Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 17, and will be broadcast on BBC One from 8pm. Large pro-Palestinian protests are expected in Basel throughout the weekend, with a significant gathering planned for Saturday.
The European Broadcasting Union has defended Israel's participation, stating: "We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East.
BBC Eurovision: Yuval Raphael saw off the competition
BBC
"The EBU is not immune to global events but, together with our members, it is our role to ensure the contest remains, at its heart, a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music."
Ireland's RTÉ has become the fourth national broadcaster to question Israel's inclusion, with the EBU indicating discussions will be held after this year's competition concludes.
