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In October 2023, Yuval Raphael narrowly escaped with her life following the Nova music festival attack that killed 378 others.
When Hamas terrorists launched a shocking ambush on attendees at the open-air music festival, the aspiring singer rushed to hide in a nearby kibbutz with 50 others.
The group faced grenades being thrown inside, with Yuval one of just 11 survivors after being forced to hide under dead bodies for eight hours.
Now the 24-year-old is representing Israel at next weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest with her song New Day Will Rise.
Just 18 months after Yuval was caught up in the shocking attack of October 7, she’s now set to take to the stage.
Yuval’s inclusion in the Eurovision line-up comes at a time when there are ongoing calls for Israel to be cut from the competition due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza between the country and Hamas.
Last year, there were calls to boycott Eurovision over Israel’s participation, while acts from Ireland, Finland, Sweden and the UK called for the country to be banned.
At the same time, Israel’s 2024 act Eden Golan was also forced to change the title of her song October Rain, which included lyrics about Hamas’ attack that left 1200 dead. It was amended to Hurricane after officials said it breached rules about no political messaging being included in songs.
During the 2024 contest, held in the Swedish city of Malmö, Golan faced death threats and was booed each time she performed.
Yuval has spoken very little publicly about the messaging and meaning behind her track, but did explain it ‘represents the healing that we all need and the optimism for the days ahead — our future’.
Reflecting on how far she’d come, she’s previously spoken about the shocking details of her survival.
When the terrorists first attacked, Yuval was left with a broken leg but ran to safety.
After making it to the bomb shelter, Yuval was on the phone to her distraught father, who listened as terrorists entered and shot everyone in sight.
The following harrowing eight hours saw them return another 19 times to spray the shelter with bullets or throw in grenades.
Before the phone cut out, Yuval had been told by her father to ‘play dead’ – advice that would save her life.
Eventually, help arrived, and it was discovered that most of the 50 people who had sought refuge in the tiny four-square-metre concrete bunker had been killed.
‘It had become the tomb for almost 40 souls seeking refuge with us,’ she told the UN Human Rights Council in March last year.
‘The physical injuries I sustained are healing, but the mental scars will stay with me forever.’
Nearly two years on, Yuval, who still has shrapnel lodged in her head and leg from October 7, has said she isn’t daunted by the backlash to Israel’s inclusion again this year.
‘I’ve been given another chance at life, so it’s my duty to not be afraid – and to spread the light. I see it as an honour and a responsibility. I love my country, I love the Israeli people,’ she told the Daily Mail.
Born in Pedaya in central Israel, Yuval moved with her parents to Geneva when she was six, where they lived for three years.
She began her professional singing career in 2024 when she took part in the TV talent show HaKokhav HaBa, which served as the selection for Israel’s Eurovision act.
Speaking about dealing with the opposition, she explained how she had ‘the most amazing team behind me with all the tools to deal with this situation’.
‘I am coming this year with an open heart and everything else is out of my control,’ she added.
In recent days, broadcasters from Iceland, Spain and Slovenia have voiced their opposition to Israel taking part.
Last week, the European Broadcasting Union also overturned a ban on Palestinian flags at this year’s competition.
Despite protests being anticipated in Basel, the Swiss city hosting Eurovision 2025, Yuval said she wasn’t concerned and was instead excited to return to Switzerland.
‘I am excited, it’s like a second home to me,’ she said.
Getting on stage was something Yuval was determined to do after she put herself forward to represent Israel, a decision even her therapist questioned after the trauma she faced not long before.
When did Israel last win Eurovision?
Israel has competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 46 times since making its debut in 1973.
It has won the contest four times – in 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2018.
The most recent win was from Netta, who took out the win with her song Toy, with her ‘chicken dance moves’ also drawing plenty of attention.
Just after her win was announced at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Netta told the Eurovision hosts: ‘I’m so happy, thanks for choosing difference, thank you for celebrating diversity.’
But she said music had ‘helped me my entire life’. ‘It’s my safe place and this past year has been an integral part of my recovery, and I am so lucky to do it as a career.’
Yuval is currently sitting as the fifth favourite to take out this year’s title, explaining she was ‘really focused on bringing the best performance I can’.
‘I think my song has such a beautiful message. There is a phrase that says, “Everyone cries, don’t cry alone”. Let’s all be united together – and spread the love,’ she urged.
Eurovision 2025 airs on the BBC between May 13 and May 17.
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