Eurovision week 2025 officially opened on Sunday afternoon with the delegation parade on the turquoise carpet—the festive opening ceremony of the competition, in which Israel's representative Yuval Raphael will participate.

The atmosphere in Basel is already fully present. During the past weekend, the city began embracing Eurovision colors—flags appeared in almost every corner, shop windows were decorated, and squares transformed into pilgrimage sites for competition fans, locals, tourists—everyone.

The general feeling? As if the city awakened to a world where sequins are a native language, feathers constitute a dress code, and every step on the street comes with an imaginary chorus of "Douze points!"

The magic of Eurovision 2025 doesn't wait for you to reach downtown; it begins the moment you land. If you arrive by plane, you'll encounter colorful signs welcoming you with "Welcome Eurovision Fans" right at the baggage carousels of Basel-Mulhouse Airport. And if you choose to arrive by train, from the moment you step onto the main station floor, you'll understand you've entered a city that speaks Eurovision language.

Digital signage has transformed into colorful heart displays, direction markers glow in bright pink, and almost every column features the competition logo. The station has become an unofficial Eurovision branch—a combination of transportation hub and photo-op station for sequin genre enthusiasts.

Between steaming coffee and Swiss tuna sandwiches, locals have embraced the competition spirit. Store after store has wrapped itself in Eurovision colors—"Welcome Home" signs in neon yellow, fuchsia pink hearts, and shop windows modified for the event, featuring microphone-shaped cakes, scarves with "Douze points" inscriptions, and shelves stocked with official merchandise.

Digital screens in the station plaza broadcast competition messages and logos on constant rotation, and as they change colors and wink at passersby, there's a sense of a continuous show. Pedestrians pause for photos, children point excitedly, and tourists reach for smartphones—as if it's not just another ordinary day, but a semifinal show beginning with a fashionably late five-minute delay.

‘Eurovision Street’

When exiting Basel's main train station and turning left, you can't miss what locals simply call "Eurovision Street." This main urban thoroughfare extends about 1.9 miles, all the way to Badischer Bahnhof station, completely transformed into a colorful, festive walking route dedicated to the competition.

Shops along the way have dressed up for Eurovision; many display "Friends of Eurovision" signs, while others have designed their windows with songs, sequins and hearts as inspiration. "United By Music" signs line the street, while familiar Eurovision hit melodies flow from the city's sound system—an unofficial soundtrack to everyday life.

But it's more than just decoration. Eurovision Street lives, breathes—and performs. One side features small wooden stands for local street artists, who are already strumming, drumming, whistling, and engaging passersby. At its center stands a main stage hosting live performances throughout the day.

Last weekend already featured local brass ensembles, percussion groups, and young bands performing tribute songs to competing artists. Later this week, some competition contestants are expected to perform here. On this street, Basel isn't merely hosting Eurovision—it's actively participating in it.

On Eurovision Street, we met the first group of Eurovision fans from Israel, including Avi Zeikner, a photographer in everyday life but serving as the editor of Euromix.co.il while in Basel.

"We arrived here yesterday afternoon, and since then it's been really pleasant," he said. "The atmosphere is quite relaxed. Regarding security, we notice police officers on the streets and hope everything proceeds smoothly. I'm not overly concerned, just trying to limit speaking Hebrew on the street and not carrying an Israeli flag, but overall it feels quite safe."

Beside him stood Tal Dahan and Shachar Assido—devoted Eurovision fans who attended every competition for the past three years.

"We haven't seen anything like this at previous competitions we've attended; there are truly wonderful things here. We even met Luxembourg's representative, and she's really friendly," Tal said.

Shachar added, "Very near here was a karaoke party where everyone gathered around us after we sang—nice atmosphere, and it doesn't feel as tense as last year in Malmö.

"Initially, we thought there wouldn't be any Israeli flags at all, that perhaps they'd boycott or no presence would be visible," she said. "But we actually do see them—both here on Eurovision Street and throughout Basel—whenever flags are displayed, the Israeli flag is included. That's definitely a pleasant surprise."

This stands in stark contrast to last year in Malmö, where at this stage of the week, one could already encounter numerous demonstrations, inscriptions, flags and verbal attacks against Israel. This time, at least so far, the situation appears completely different.

Except for a few isolated cases documented last week when anti-Israel inscriptions scattered around the city were spotted, Basel's municipality apparently acted quickly to remove everything. The physical presence—flags, signs, street atmosphere—feels much calmer. That makes the moment when you encounter graffiti saying "F*** Israel" near Eurovision Street, on the wall of a bank branch adorned with Eurovision inscriptions, particularly jarring.

The colorful sign declaring "United by Music" in plump letters hangs directly above the vulgar inscription. Yet this exception seems to emphasize the rule that, at least for now, Eurovision in Basel operates in a "neutral and sterile zone" where Israelis can simply enjoy the competition.

Eurovision Village

At the end of Eurovision Street, the Eurovision Village spreads. This year, for the first time, it's established in an enclosed, covered venue, creating the atmosphere of a colorful fair under one roof. The massive structure is entirely branded with distinct Eurovision aesthetics, featuring giant signs, screen displays, flags from every direction, and eye-catching food stalls ranging from Middle Eastern cuisine to hamburgers to sticky, delightful Swiss raclette.

Between these, you'll find official competition merchandise, scarves, postcards with the "United by Music" slogan, and selfie stations with golden microphones.

On one wall, right at the entrance, appears the Eurovision 2025 slogan in various languages, including Hebrew. But standing casually before this inscription is a tall green plant, apparently placed randomly. It doesn't entirely obscure it but creates a charming hide-and-reveal effect, as if the Hebrew greeting wants to say hello, but shyly.

It doesn't appear intentional, certainly not hostile, but this small scene embodies something quintessentially Eurovision, a blend of good intentions, colorful design, and foliage that grew beyond control.

In the center of the space stands a performance stage where local artists and Eurovision stars from years past will appear throughout the week. Later in the week, some current competition participants are expected to perform here.

As the plaza gradually fills, a tram passes outside completely wrapped in pink and blue hearts, displaying the Eurovision logo. This represents a relatively rare sight around Basel, but when spotted, impossible to miss. It approaches quietly, stops, and all that's missing is a Ukrainian backing choir with shiny gold coats emerging from it.

The calm before the douze points

To reach the competition venue, as well as Euroclub and Eurocafe, the official Eurovision nightclubs, you must leave Eurovision Street and board a tram. The local line takes visitors to the southeastern edge of the city, home to what will become a focal point of noise, in the most positive sense.

Especially here at St. Jakobshalle—the arena hosting the semifinals and grand final—a completely different atmosphere currently prevails, a feeling of "the calm before the storm."

Inside, you don't yet feel the drum rhythms or lighting intensity, but hints already exist. Some delegations conduct rehearsals, journalists collect entry passes granting access to media zones, and occasionally, security personnel with earpieces and transmitters pass by.

But on Monday, everything changes. This area will become Eurovision week's beating heart, featuring open rehearsals for ticket holders, daily performances, media broadcasts from every corner, and the three highlight evenings: first semifinal, second semifinal, and the grand final itself. Within 24 hours, every quiet corner transforms into a colorful distillation of singing, costumes, hope and douze points.

Among decorated streets, fragrant stalls, festive trams, and the still-quiet arena—it's impossible to ignore the bubbling excitement in the air. Basel prepares for its defining moment with scenery almost complete. It's not showtime yet, but something here already sings.

The Eurovision 2025 semifinals will take place on May 13 and May 15 (with Israel competing), and the grand final on May 17.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday issued evacuation warnings for three ports in Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists.

"In light of the use of the seaports by the Houthi terrorist regime for its terror activities, we urge everyone present at the ports to evacuate and stay away from them until further notice," Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the military's Arabic-language spokesperson, wrote on social media.

"Failure to evacuate the ports until further notice puts you at risk," the spokesperson warned.

Despite the warning, there was no immediate confirmation of Israeli strikes in Yemen.

On Friday, the IDF intercepted a ballistic missile from Yemen, which triggered sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The attack marked the latest in a string of escalations between Jerusalem and the Houthis, who have intensified aerial assaults on the territory of the Jewish state in recent weeks.

On May 4, a Houthi missile impacted near Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, wounding six civilians and causing significant and ongoing flight disruptions.

The Houthis on May 4 announced a "comprehensive aerial blockade" on the Jewish state and vowed to continue their aerial terrorist assaults.

On May 5, the IDF conducted a wave of airstrikes on Hudaydah Port, targeting missile launch sites and drone infrastructure.

The next day, it carried out large-scale strikes on Sanaa International Airport, with dozens of fighter jets flying more than 1,000 miles to drop 50 precision bombs on the facility, disabling it. The strike also targeted power stations in the Houthi capital, as well as a cement factory.

Ynet reported that IDF intelligence anticipates additional Houthi attacks on Israeli airports as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign. Potential targets reportedly include Haifa Airport and other major transit hubs.

The Hamas terrorist organization announced on Sunday night that it would release Israeli-American Edan Alexander as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

The U.S.-designated terror group said the release of Alexander, 21, was "part of the steps being taken to achieve a truce, open the [border] crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in Gaza."

The decision to free Alexander, believed to be the last living American citizen held in Gaza, came following talks with the Trump administration's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Trump confirmed the release on his Truth Social platform, writing: “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”

Alexander's family told Israel's Channel 12 News earlier on Sunday that they had been waiting for Hamas's announcement, which Witkoff had told them was expected.

A Hamas source cited by local media said that Alexander would be released within 48 hours, after his parents and Witkoff arrived in Israel. Jerusalem was reportedly not party to the negotiations that led to the deal, and will not be required to free terrorists in return.

In an official statement in response to the news, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said: “The expected release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander without any concessions is made possible due to the firm policy we have led with the backing of President Trump, and thanks to the military pressure exerted by IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip.”

The statement emphasized that “Israel has not committed to any ceasefire or the release of terrorists—only to a safe corridor that will allow for Edan's release.”

“We are in critical days, during which Hamas has before it a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. Negotiations will continue under fire and alongside preparations to intensify the fighting,” the statement continued.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Sunday that there was a chance that Hamas would release Alexander as a "tribute" to U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. leader's Middle East tour, which is scheduled to start on Monday, Hebrew media reported, citing the confidential discussion.

Alexander, a native of New Jersey, was abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist invasion of Israel's south, in which Hamas-led terrorists murdered some 1,200 people and abducted 251.

Including Alexander, 59 abductees remain captive in Gaza, according to official Israeli army figures, including the remains of four deceased Americans.

It is believed that up to 24 hostages are still alive, including Alexander, with heavy question marks over one Israeli and two foreign nationals.

Ahead of Sunday's Cabinet meeting, which came after Israeli security forces returned the body of an IDF soldier who had been missing since the 1982 Lebanon War, Netanyahu vowed to return all hostages and missing people.

"It isn’t just lip service—it's a massive effort by all Israeli security and intelligence agencies,” he declared.

Following the announcement of Alexander’s release, the family of hostage Alon Ahel issued a statement expressing anguish over his continued captivity. “The deal leaves Alon behind, injured and in pain. We are living in a nightmare, full of anxiety,” the family said in a statement reported by Ynet. “We congratulate the Alexander family, and demand that the Israeli government bring Alon and all the Israeli hostages home.”

The statement continued: “Alon and the other wounded remain in the tunnels without medical care or assistance. Alon is suffering from a serious, life-threatening injury. There is no end date to our nightmare.”

An Israeli was seriously wounded in a stabbing on Sunday evening in the town of Pardes Hanna in the Haifa District, the Israel Police said.

The motivation for the attack, which was initially reported as a criminal incident, was not immediately clear, with the police saying in a later statement that all possible motives were being taken into account.

According to the Ynet news outlet, authorities are investigating whether the stabbing in the city was a terror attack. The victim was said to have reported being stabbed by an Arab who subsequently fled the scene.

"Officers from the Zichron station are at the scene and have begun collecting evidence as part of the investigation that has been opened," police stated. "The circumstances of the incident are being examined."

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency response group announced that its paramedics had evacuated the victim, a 36-year-old male, to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera in "serious and unstable condition."

On May 3, security forces arrested a 16-year-old Arab Israeli who had planned to carry out a terrorist stabbing at the police station in Tira, a city in the Triangle, a concentration of Arab towns near the Green Line.

The teenager was detained after he approached officers from the Tira station and Border Police with a knife while yelling Allahu Akbar (Arabic for "God is great!").

Officers "overpowered the minor while using a non-lethal weapon and arrested him on the spot," the police said. The suspect, a resident of the city, was taken into the custody of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).

In 2008, just weeks after losing her husband, Jeremy Coleman, to Stage 4 stomach cancer, Pamela Becker helped transform grief into a force for good.

Together with his sisters and close friends, she launched Jeremy’s Circle, a grassroots initiative born from a simple but powerful idea: no child should face cancer in their family alone.

Seventeen years later, that circle has expanded into a lifeline for over 1,100 families across Israel. What began as weekend outings for Jeremy’s young children and their peers has evolved into a robust nonprofit offering respite, connection and healing through joy.

With Pamela continuing as CEO from her Tel Aviv home base, the organization now runs high-impact programs year-round for children and teens coping with the trauma of cancer in their immediate family.

“Jeremy was focused on helping our kids feel normal. He wanted them to have fun, to connect with other kids who understood what they were going through,” she says. “That vision still drives everything we do.”

Reaching families across Israel

Jeremy’s Circle is intentionally inclusive, serving Israeli families from all backgrounds—Jewish, Muslim, Druze, Christian and others. Its multilingual approach (including Hebrew, English, Arabic and Russian) and programming across the country, from the Galilee to Eilat, ensure that geography and language are not barriers for the children to finding care and friendship.

The organization supports children and teens with a parent or sibling battling cancer or grieving their loss. While these families were already navigating hardship, the events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war have compounded stress and isolation.

“Our families are facing dual fronts—cancer and conflict,” explains Pamela. “It’s made our mission more urgent than ever.”

Despite the challenges, the 2024 Impact Report reveals notable growth: a 10% increase in participating families and 17 well-attended events, including family fun days, teen gatherings, and virtual meetups. The organization’s signature blend of peer support and play has proven to be a healing formula.

New leadership and transatlantic growth

Jeremy’s Circle recently appointed Dr. Stephanie Becker, based in the United States, as incoming chairperson to expand its reach beyond Israel. While the nonprofit remains firmly rooted in Israel, Stephanie’s role signals a strategic pivot toward U.S. philanthropy.

After learning about Lev Echad's community resilience programs at a Bloomberg Philanthropies event, Stephanie championed a powerful collaboration between the organizations. She recognized that today's Israeli youth, having endured COVID isolation, personal challenges and the trauma of Oct. 7, 2023, need tools to manage overwhelming stress and understand the power of community support.

The partnership leverages Jeremy's Circle's expertise in creating meaningful teen events to develop community-building activities for teens affected by the Oct. 7 attacks and those displaced from northern Israel. 

Lev Echad is a grassroots group that is a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Award for Volunteerism. The two organizations created joint initiatives for teens affected by war, loss, and displacement, and have collaborated on trauma-informed youth programs

“She’s helping us connect with North American funders and partner organizations that share our values,” Pamela notes. “This expansion allows us to scale, while staying true to our original vision.”

U.S.-Israeli collaboration

One recent U.S.-Israeli collaboration culminated in the Dead Sea Marathon, bringing together 95 teens from diverse backgrounds. From Connecticut's Bicultural Hebrew Academy, 36 teens joined 59 Israeli teens from Jeremy's Circle and communities near the northern border who were displaced or living under fire.

The teens trained and ran side by side. It wasn’t just about running. It was about building resilience and forming friendships that cross borders and backgrounds.

Looking ahead: Kilimanjaro, summer camp and Shavuot

The coming months are to be packed with meaningful experiences. On June 1, families will gather at the Children’s Museum in Holon for a Shavuot celebration, exploring sensory-rich exhibits like “Dialogue in the Dark” and “Invitation to Silence.” As always, transportation, meals, and activities are covered financially and fully arranged, removing barriers for families in crisis.

In July, 80 to 100 children entering grades 4-11 are expected to attend Jeremy’s Circle’s overnight summer camp near Zichron Ya'akov. The five-day retreat promises sports, arts, bonfires and a chance to laugh without fear or worry.

Then, in August, an extraordinary expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro is to unite nine Jeremy’s Circle teens with seven youth from northern Israel who have been displaced by war.

Partnering with Accessibility Accelerator, the trek isn’t just a physical challenge, it’s a symbolic shift from being helped to helping others. The 50-person group plans for a nine-day journey that includes seven days of climbing Africa's highest peak and a two-day safari. 

“These kids have faced things no teen should,” says Pamela. “Climbing Africa’s highest peak shows them what’s possible. It’s not just about summiting a mountain. It’s about reclaiming agency over their own lives.”

The trip, made possible by a single anonymous donor, will spotlight personal strength and interdependence.

Jeremy’s Circle continues to innovate without losing sight of its core. Whether organizing bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, Shabbatons, or art workshops, the goal is the same: to give children the tools to process, connect, and thrive.

“Grief and illness isolate,” Pamela says. “We’re here to counter that with community and compassion.”

Stephanie tells JNS, "When illness strikes a family, everyone is affected. Resources naturally focus on the patient, so we aim to support children and teens in families facing health crises."

"Having shared Jeremy's Circle's vision since its founding, I feel personally compelled—now more than ever since the war began—to expand my role and help build community-based resilience for both our Circle families and teens in vulnerable communities in Israel who are all in such great need during this unprecedented national crisis," she says,

As it heads toward its 18th year, Jeremy’s Circle is more than a memorial. It’s a growing network of resilience, powered by families who know the power of joy in the face of struggle, and determined to pass it on.

For more information, visit https://jeremyscircle.org.

The defining foreign policy feature of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term was Israel’s integration into the larger Middle East, but as the president is set to visit Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi this week, some experts say that it’s apt that the Jewish state is lower down on the agenda.

“It’s mainly a Gulf visit, targeting certain goals that have to do with Arab Gulf countries in particular and not about the Middle East in general,” Dalia Ziada, senior research and diplomacy fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, told JNS.

With reports that the Trump administration is pursuing a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that is no longer contingent on Riyadh normalizing ties with Jerusalem, the push for Israeli-Saudi normalization may be faltering.

Even Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is known as MBS, “said this week that there will be no normalization before stopping the war in Gaza and Israel doing tangible steps towards a Palestinian state,” Danny Citrinowicz, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council who studies the Middle East, told JNS.

“I don’t think he cares much about the Palestinians, but as the leader of the Sunni world, you cannot accept what Israel is doing in Gaza and nothing substantial regarding a Palestinian state and having normalization with Israel,” added Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies. “MBS knows that.”

Citrinowicz predicts that the Trump administration will offer arms deals and civilian nuclear cooperation on a bilateral basis to the Saudis, since Israel isn’t in a position politically to agree to advancing a Palestinian state.

But according to Zineb Riboua, research fellow at the Hudson Institute who studies the Middle East, analysts who believe that Washington has lost interest in Israel-Saudi normalization may be misreading the situation.

“I think it’s quite the contrary,” Riboua told JNS. “It seems that the Trump administration is trying to proceed as it proceeded with the Abraham Accords.”

To Riboua, that means “first of all, going to the Middle East, making sure that Saudi sees the United States as a very reliable partner, making sure that there are more Saudi-U.S. oriented deals and once that is sealed, then push for Israeli integration into the Middle East with an agreement,” she said.

The U.S. State Department announced on Sunday that Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, will accompany Trump on the trip to Saudi and Qatar from Sunday to Wednesday, during which the president “will look to strengthen ties between the United States and Gulf partners.”

“Secretary Rubio’s engagements with senior officials will advance solutions to global and regional challenges, expand bilateral trade and investment and reaffirm our strategic partnerships,” per Tammy Bruce, the department spokeswoman.

Among the aims reportedly on the docket are finalizing a mining and mineral resources deal with Saudi and an artificial intelligence partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Trump also intends to send a message to China and Russia that the United States is the global power with which to contend in the region, according to Ziada, of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.

Trump also hopes to broadcast that though the Saudis, Qataris and Emiratis tend to hedge their diplomatic bets, most stable actors in the unstable region side with Washington to a greater extent than with U.S. adversaries, Ziada told JNS. “Arab Gulf countries believe in polygamy—in not having only one partner,” she said.

During the Biden administration, Saudi normalized relations with Iran through Beijing, “because of the lack of security guarantees coming from the United States,” Riboua, of Hudson, told JNS. “China has been very vocal about its involvement in the Middle East.”

“Saudi Arabia especially has been courted by the Russians, by the Chinese,” she said. “For the United States, this is really a signal that they’re coming back to the Gulf and and their commitments towards Middle East allies have not vanished, contrary to common belief.”

Israel is not expected to be a dominant topic of discussion, but the Jewish state is likely to be affected by talks of negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a revised nuclear pact.

“The announcement of President Trump’s desire to make a deal itself was a shock to everyone in the region, especially Arab Gulf countries who are directly threatened,” Ziada told JNS. 

“Their security is directly threatened by Iran and its militia, so maybe he wants to get their approval and give this strong message that, ‘Yes, we’re doing this for the good of everyone, and that the concerns of you, as Arab Gulf countries, are on the mind of the United States administration while making such a deal,’” she said.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian president, is reportedly set to meet Trump on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, as is Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.

“One of the first things that will come up in the Saudi-U.S. meetings is actually the post- Assad Syria,” Riboua said. “The Saudis have been very much engaged with al-Sharaa, especially when it comes to reconstruction and engagement.”

“That definitely is on the radar, because Trump is looking into withdrawing troops from Syria,” she added.

Trump will want to avoid discussing Gaza and the ongoing war with Hamas on the trip, given U.S.support for Israel and the tension between the Jewish state and the Arab Gulf due to the war, according to Ziada.

Trump “may hesitate” to discuss furthering Israel-Arab relations, “in order not to disturb what he wants to achieve, because it’s a very overwhelming topic in the region,” Ziada told JNS. 

“It may be mentioned within the frame of having a bigger role for Saudi Arabia or Arab Gulf countries to further stabilize the region and play this big sister role that they are craving, especially Saudi Arabia,” she said.

A two-state solution conference that the Saudis and the French are sponsoring at the United Nations is scheduled to take place in a few weeks. Ziada expects the Trump administration to wait until then for substantive discussion about the future of Gaza.

She told JNS that Israel isn’t being ignored, however. Arab Gulf countries recognize Israel’s power as “a key player in the region” and “an agenda setter that’s not anymore the small country that’s preoccupied with defending itself against terrorist organizations,” she said. 

“Due to historical sensitivities, the history of the relationship between Arabs and Israel and all these dogmatic build ups from the past—it makes it difficult for them to proceed with things like the Abraham Accords,” Ziada told JNS. “But it’s about priorities. It’s about when to take the steps, more than about whether it is a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”

Trump primarily “needs an achievement in his foreign policy” given his struggles to lock down a resolution to either the Israel-Hamas or Ukraine-Russia wars, according to Citrinowicz, of the Atlantic Council.

“Saudi Arabia can offer him tangible achievements so he can show that through foreign policy, he can generate income for the U.S. market,” Citrinowicz told JNS. “Of course, he will get the royal treatment.”

“It’s a very problematic visit for Israel with all the tension in the backdrop of the visit and everything will be focused on the U.S.-Saudi relations,” he added. “It actually will highlight the fact that, for now, Saudi Arabia is much more important in the region than Israel.”

Israel's Kan public broadcaster has filed a complaint with Swiss police after a man was filmed threatening the Israeli delegation during the opening event of the Eurovision Song Context on Sunday afternoon.

In a video that went viral on social media, a group of anti-Israel activists can be seen waving PLO flags and wearing keffiyehs, with one of them making a throat-slitting gesture and spitting toward the Israelis.

The incident took place during the Turquoise Carpet parade in the Swiss city of Basel. The annual event serves as the official opening ceremony that kick-starts the week of Eurovision Song Contest live shows.

Kan said it asked the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual musical extravaganza, for help in identifying the activist who made the threat.

Many PLO flags could be seen during Sunday's parade, as demonstrators voiced opposition to Israel's participation in the contest.

Unlike other competitors, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael was accompanied by bodyguards. The security measures highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding the Jewish state's participation in the international event.

Raphael is a survivor of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre at the Supernova music festival in Israel's south. She will perform "New Day Will Rise," an emotional anthem written by Keren Peles that speaks to resilience and hope in the aftermath of the national tragedy.

Raphael secured her Eurovision entry by winning Season 11 of the popular Israeli television competition "The Next Star." She is set to compete in Eurovision's second semifinal round on Thursday night.

The Israel Defense Forces' Paratroopers Brigade is being redeployed from Syrian territory ahead of the expansion of the ground campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Sunday.

The paratroopers, who served in the Golan Heights and later also across the border in Syria for approximately five months, "completed their mission on the northern border," the army said.

The Paratroopers Brigade is scheduled to be replaced in the coming days by reservists, who will continue to protect the Jewish state's northern border through military operations in southern Syria.

Over the past months, the paratroopers, led by the 210th "Bashan" Division, carried out "dozens of raids on Syrian outposts, confiscating and destroying hundreds of weapons," the military's statement noted.

The paratroopers leaving Syria are set to join the fight against Hamas as part of 98th Paratroopers Division, aka the Fire Formation.

The 98th Division, with its special forces, previously took the lead to defeat enemy strongholds such as Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, during the current war.

The paratroopers will be joined by forces of the Nahal Infantry Brigade, which had been operating against terrorists throughout Judea and Samaria for three months, the IDF said in a separate announcement.

The Nahal Brigade troops will fight in the Strip as part of the 162nd "Steel Formation" Division, the army said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas on Thursday, declaring that the "rules are about to change" as Israel prepares to expand its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The prime minister reiterated the IDF's key objectives: "First—to defeat Hamas, to be victorious over Hamas, to eliminate Hamas. The second, of course, simultaneously—is to release our hostages."

Fifty-nine abductees remain captive in Gaza, according to official Israel Defense Forces figures. It is believed that up to 24 of them are still alive, with heavy question marks over one Israeli and two foreign nationals.

The Israeli Cabinet approved a comprehensive benefits package totaling approximately 3 billion shekels (some $800 million) for active Israel Defense Forces reservists, Jerusalem announced on Sunday.

The initiative, led Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin, aims to strengthen support for reservists, their families and employers ahead of the expansion of IDF ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

The plan includes a wide range of financial and social benefits including tax credit points for reservists; grants for employers; priority in subsidized housing programs; grants for discharged soldiers; a "digital wallet" for welfare expenses of up to 5,000 shekels ($1,330); support for small businesses; streamlined access to civil service jobs; assistance for immigrant reservists; and priority in receiving government services, the Prime Minister's Office said.

"Our reservists do everything for the country," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We must give them everything. Our principle is simple: Those who contribute to the state will be generously rewarded."

Smotrich noted that reservists have recently made "immense sacrifices" due to their belief in the security and future of the only Jewish state.

"They leave behind families, work and their normal lives to serve. The least we can do is provide them with a comprehensive support system," he said. "Today's package, including tax breaks, housing preferences and digital wallets, builds on previous allocations totaling billions.

"This is our way of saying: You give everything for us—we give you the strength and support to win," the finance minister said.

Katz said: "The state embraces those who carry the burden and gives them the means to lead us to victory," adding that reservists "bear the weight" of the ongoing seven-front war on the country's borders.

"Today, we took another step in advancing justice for them—adding another 4 billion shekels, making a total of 20 billion shekels in support, not only for reservists but also for their families, children the wounded, and others connected to them," the defense minister said.

On May 4, Israel’s Security Cabinet voted unanimously to expand the IDF offensive against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.

On March 2, the government authorized Katz's proposal to issue an order allowing the head of the IDF Operations Directorate and the head of Recruitment and Standby to call up for service up to 400,000 reservists by May 29.