Dutch people arrested trying to storm Eurovision stage during Israel performance: Report
Two protesters were taken into custody during the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday night when they tried to march on stage during Israel's entry in the competition. Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that the two suspects, a man and a woman, are Dutch citizens.
While Yuval Raphael sang New Day Will Rise, the two protestors allegedly tried to make their way on the stage.
The two were reportedly stopped by guards from Israeli security service Shin Bet, as well as local security staffing the St. Jakobshalle, the event venue in Basel, Switzerland. The suspects were handed over to local police.
Both Ynet and Dutch wire service ANP reported that one of the two protestors tried to spray the security guards with paint as they approached the demonstrators. One of the suspects allegedly struck a crew member, though he was uninjured, Ynet reported.
The broadcaster in Switzerland responsible for organizing Eurovision this year, SRG SSR, confirmed the incident to ANP. However, the media outlet did not release any information about the two protestors' identities.
Raphael performed early in the show as the fourth Eurovision contestant. She was named this year's runner-up, losing out to Austria's performer, JJ. The entry from the Netherlands, Claude, wound up in 12th place.
The incident happened towards the conclusion of Raphael's performance. She then left the performers' Green Room space at the venue for a few minutes. "Yuval is very upset and we are with her," a source with Israel's delegation told Ynet.
Earlier in the week, a group of people also tried to disrupt Raphael's dress rehearsal ahead of her performance during the second semi-final. "Six people, including a family, disrupted the rehearsal with oversized flags and whistles. Security personnel were able to quickly identify those involved and escort them out of the hall," SRG SSR confirmed.
