Austria wins Eurovision, runner-up performance marred by protest

Austria has taken out the 2025 Eurovision contest, narrowly beating out Israel’s representative, whose performance was marred by a pro-Palestine protest.

Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch celebrates with the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest trophy after winning the grand final in Basel. Picture: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP

Austria has taken out the 69th Eurovision song contest, leapfrogging Israel’s Yuval Raphael, whose performance was marred by protesters attempting to rush the stage, dousing event staff in paint in the process.

Taking out the top spot, Austrian-Filipino singer songwriter JJ wowed the crowd with his performance of Wasted Love, pipping Israel at the post to take home the glass microphone.

The 24-year-old artist – whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, a professional performer at the ­Vienna State Opera – propelled Austria to the top spot, topping the jury vote and finishing fourth in the public vote.

Despite comfortably winning the televote, Israel finished a lowly 14th place in the jury vote, leaving it in second place at the annual singing competition that was hosted by last year’s winner, Switzerland, in Basel.

Yuval Raphael, representing Israel with the song New Day Will Rise, parades with her national flag during the dress rehearsal for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Picture: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP

Protests against Israel’s inclusion in the lead-up to the competition, which included more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signing an open letter demanding the country and its national broadcaster be banned from the event, continued into the final round.

Two British audience members from notorious pro-Palestinian activist group Youth Demand were removed from the arena and detained by police after attempting to rush the stage during Yuval Raphael’s performance of New Day Will Rise.

A spokesman for Eurovision broadcaster SRG SSR said the man and woman had attempted to jump a barrier onto the stage but were stopped.

Protesters and activists from BDS hold a banner reading "Country of apartheid … Israel" during a demonstration against Israel's candidate prior to the grand final of Eurovision. Picture: Sebastien Bozon / AFP

“One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police,” the spokesman said.

They have since been released by police who say it is up to the organisers to decide whether to press charges.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests took place in Basel, though on a much smaller scale than at last year’s event in Sweden, where thousands marched in the streets and tensions spilled over backstage, leading to the expulsion of Dutch contestant Joost Klein.

Australia’s representative, indie-pop artist Go-Jo, failed to make it past the semi-finals in Australia’s 10th year in the song competition with his colourful rendition of Milkshake Man.

The top five was rounded out by Estonia, betting favourites Sweden – who had been picked to take out the top spot prior to the final – and Italy.

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held at Basel’s St ­Jakobshalle, which was packed with 6500 excited ticket-holders dressed to the nines while 36,000 others watched a live transmission in a nearby stadium.

An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond had been expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand.