Basel government basically wants to allow Demos

« The participation of Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest is a tragic and terrible step in the normalization of the colonial settler state »: With these words, a new movement, which « Escalate for Palestine » calls itself, appeals to their Instagram and Telegram channel for a « large demonstration ». She calls for the boycott of the ESC in Baselbecause, despite its warfare in the Gaza strip, Israel was not excluded from the occasion. The rally is scheduled to take place on May 17th, the ESC final day, on Barfüsserplatz.

In addition, the group announces further promotions in Basel during the ESC week and calls, among other things, to go “spray”. This call is aware of the authorities. « We check such statements for any criminal offenses and determine where on offer, » wrote the Basel-Stadt public prosecutor’s office at the request of the BZ.

So far no application has been submitted

But how does Basel deal with demonstrations around the ESC? « The expression of opinion is weighted high, even during the ESC, » says Toprak Yerguz, media spokesman for the judicial and security department (JSD) of the canton of Basel-Stadt. For this reason, demonstrations-including those that are directed against Israel’s participation in the ESC-could take place during the ESC week.

However, this requires that activists are looking for contact with the police and there is a corresponding approval application. « The right to demonstrations does not mean that you can demonstrate anywhere and at any time, » says Yerguz. Especially during the ESC, it is a challenge to bring different interests and public security under one roof.

In the case of “Escalate for Palestine”, according to the Basel-Stadt cantonal police, no application has been submitted. At which places in Basel such a rally would be granted, the police do not want to provide any information. It does not announce whether a granted demonstration on the ESC final day itself would be realistic. Searches, if they arrive, would be checked individually.

Proisraeli NGO criticizes Basel government

On Monday, an open letter from the proisraeli NGO «Never Again is now» (Nain) Switzerland, which is aimed at the Basel government, circulated on the Internet. In it, Nain criticizes the head of the JSD, Stephanie Eymann (LDP), which recently spoke out against a ban on demonstration during the ESC.

Nain refers to the announced demonstrations of « Escalate for Palestine » and says that such disruption « would be a significant risk of the security of guests, artists and in particular the Israeli delegation ». « Demonstrations that intimidate delegations or disturb the festival should be prevented with all clarity, » says the letter. In other words, the Basel government should prohibit rallies that speak out against Israeli delegation during the ESC.

Despite criticism, the JSD sticks to its line. « We are aware that Jews and Israel -friendly circles can feel intimidated by such demonstrations, » says media spokesman Yerguz. « We take that very seriously. » At the same time, one must take into account freedom of expression, which also includes criticism of individual countries.

According to Yerguz, criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism, it is a challenge. Here, one is based on the legal framework – i.e. on the clarifications of the public prosecutor, what is punishable and what is not. For example, this came to the conclusion that the slogan « From the River to the Sea » alone could not be pursued by criminal law.

Overall, one wants to find a « healthy balance » so that Jews feel safe without having to restrict freedom of expression.