Israel-bashing Eurovision has-beens shame themselves by targeting October 7 survivor

The is the world's largest song festival. Sure, the notion of nation competing against nation in bacofoil costumes while doing strange things with ukeles is objectively bonkers. But that is, or rather should be, part of its enduring charm. Since the genesis of the contest was rooted in the best of intentions. Namely an international celebration of song and technology which prides itself in being tone deaf to politics.

Even if it seems to also be tone-deaf to what constitutes a decent toon. (And with the exception of Sam Ryder's joyous Spaceman, the UK bears considerable guilt for fielding lousy songs.) Sadly any lingering illusion that Eurovision transcends geo-political street-fighting and instead focuses on harmony and unity has been resolutely smashed. And in the most horrible and ironic way.

For this year there are calls to ban the Israeli entry sung by Yuval Raphael. The last time the 24-year-old attended an event celebrating music, song and peace was at 's Nova festival October 7th 2023.

As stormed in from Gaza, Yuval fled for her life, taking refuge in a bomb shelter, crammed in with 50 others as the terrorists fired guns and threw in grenades.

Hiding under a pile of dead bodies for eight hours, the singer was one of only 11 people in the shelter to survive. That Yuval, who still has shrapnel in her leg, will be performing the Israeli entry New Day Will Rise, at the 69th Eurovision semi-final in Basel on Thursday is itself a triumph - regardless of how many points she scores.

But instead of applauding Yuval's resilience, as well as her repeated messages of peace and hope, the usual headbangers and useful idiots are out indulging in a different form of point-scoring.

Coming out in force to protest at her participation. Not least 70 former contestants, (including our lousy 2023 entry Mae Muller) as well as Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, who are calling for a discussion over Israel's inclusion.

Their position is ill informed and pathetic - a grotesque inversion of morality and an utter betrayal of human dignity and decency. It is unthinkable that a young woman who survived the October 7 massacre should be vilified this way.

As one official has said of Israel, the firefighter is being badged as the arsonist. Have these protesters even read the harrowing testimonies of those released by Hamas?

Just this week, Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander was freed after 19 months in captivity. He was chained, tortured, and starved in Gaza. And yet somehow, it is Israel that is painted as the pariah.

Yuval was just a music fan. She had no appetite for war or politics. And yet, through no fault of her own, she is being forced to travel with a full security detail. Swiss police have already warned they may have to intervene if protests in Basel escalate into something uglier.

So far, Eurovision's executive supervisor Martin Österdahl has shown admirable resolve, rejecting demands to disqualify Israel. He has reiterated that the role of the EBU is to ensure that the contest remains "a universal event that promotes connection, diversity, and inclusion through music."

Hopefully Yuval will remind the world what Eurovision is meant to stand for - by giving the performance of her life. Hopefully for every loud protester peddling a warped narrative, there are countless ordinary viewers who cut through the noise, tune out the prejudice and simply listen to the song.

Just as they did last year with Israel's Eden Golan, who despite a campaign of intimidation soared to fifth place - buoyed by a huge public vote. (The UK jury gave her nothing; the UK public gave her the full 12 points.)

Eurovision should be about peace, not politics. Just as Nova Festival was meant to be. Just as Yuval will be, when she steps onto that stage. Anything less truly renders it obsolete.