Eurovision organisers have defended themselves against accusations of manipulating crowd noise during Israel’s performance at the 2025 Song Contest, following claims that boos were masked with artificial cheers.
Viewers were left “shocked” when Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attacks, appeared to receive thunderous applause on television despite a visibly subdued reception in the arena.
The 24-year-old performer was one of just 11 survivors from a group of around 50 people who took refuge in a concrete bomb shelter during the 2023 attack, hiding under dead bodies for eight hours until rescue.
Her song New Day Will Rise was performed fourth on the night, following weeks of controversy surrounding Israel’s participation, which some had called to be banned due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Viewers were left “shocked” when Israeli act Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 attacks, appeared to receive thunderous applause on television despite a visibly subdued reception in the arena
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UK commentator Graham Norton addressed the apparent discrepancy in audio after Raphael’s performance, after viewers at home were fed applause and cheers during the broadcast.
He told BBC One viewers: “I’m not sure what you’re hearing at home, but it was a mixed response.”
His remarks followed allegations that organisers had artificially sweetened the crowd audio during Israel’s Friday night rehearsal, sparking further outrage online.
In response, Eurovision officials issued a statement to clarify their sound mixing practices. They said: “For the Eurovision Song Contest, the host broadcaster SRG SSR is working with the ‘audio sweetening’ method, which is common practice for major international productions,” according to The Mirror.
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UK commentator Graham Norton addressed the apparent discrepancy in audio after Raphael’s performance
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They continued: “This process helps to harmonise the sound of the transitions between moderations, video clips, and the individual acts and to create a consistent soundscape for the TV audience. It is used exclusively for the technical rounding off of the programme.”
Eurovision bosses were quick to stress that the process “is used equally and identically for all acts.
“The competition and its results are not affected in any way,” they added.
Still, the explanation did little to stop a wave of scepticism online. One viewer wrote on X: “The fake clapping during Israel… like we don’t know the majority of the crowd is booing. #Eurovision2025.”
Audience members held Palestinian flags and booed during Raphael’s performance
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Another user added: “Is it just me or did Eurovision add canned screams and cheers during and after Israel’s performance? Because the few times they showed the audience, it didn’t seem like they were the ones doing it. Plus, it was weird how the sound kept coming and going.”
A third said: “I have a huge issue with the EBU silencing the booing during Israel’s performance and adding fake cheers to it to make it sound like there’s a positive reception from the audience.
“EBU needs to be reminded they’re a public service broadcaster whose purpose is to serve the public, not to silence them.”
A fourth chimed in: “Eurovision tried so hard to protect Israel they had to pump in FAKE applause to hide the BOOS. But Europe wasn’t buying it.”
A fifth commenter wrote: “The ESC should be politics free. But, when they’re muting audience boos for Israel etc – it’s shows where the chiefs political views lie. It’s such a shame. It probably is time to pull out & maybe it might bring about change… possibly!” (sic)
